Sobriety, Support, and Solidarity
Losing someone to suicide shakes you to your core, and sadly, it's a feeling I know all too well. The recent loss of my girlfriend's cousin was a reminder of how fragile life and mental health can be. It wasn't my first experience with this kind of loss. I've had to say goodbye to friends and two girlfriends under similar circumstances.
Quitting alcohol over a year ago opened my eyes to a lot, especially my own mental health struggles. It wasn't easy, but getting sober changed my life, my future, and my relationships with the people I love.
In hospitality, we rarely have honest conversations about mental health or sobriety. It's strange, considering how diverse and accepting our industry can be. Yet when it comes to taking care of ourselves, we often fall short. The long hours, constant stress, and unhealthy habits that come with the job don't help.
The numbers are hard to ignore. Hospitality workers are significantly more likely to experience depression than the general population, and rates of substance abuse are nearly twice as high. These aren't just statistics. They're a reminder that we need to do a better job supporting each other.
That's why I created the Dinner Rush Discord server. I wanted a place where anyone in the restaurant and bar industry could find someone to listen, lean on, and relate to. It's more than just another online community. It's a place for people who understand what this industry can do to you.
Our jobs put us at a higher risk for anxiety, burnout, and other mental health challenges. Studies have found that restaurant workers report significantly higher levels of stress than people in many other professions. It's not just the long hours or being on your feet all day. It's the emotional toll of constantly taking care of everyone else while neglecting yourself.
Late nights, easy access to alcohol, and the pressure of service create an environment where many people struggle in silence. Dinner Rush exists to change that. It's a place to share resources, advice, victories, setbacks, and remind each other that no one has to go through it alone.
The goal goes beyond conversation. It's about creating real change. By offering emotional, mental, and even financial support when possible, we're building a stronger community. This server is a place for chefs, bartenders, servers, managers, dishwashers, and everyone else in hospitality. No judgment. No outsiders. Just people who understand what you're going through.
My hope for Dinner Rush is simple: to give back in the most meaningful way I can. To create a space that's truly ours, where we lift each other up and build a healthier, more supportive industry. No one should feel like they're facing mental health struggles, sobriety, or this industry alone.
