We all love this industry for its energy, creativity, and connection. But anyone who’s worked in hospitality knows it can also be high-pressure, fast-paced, and emotionally exhausting. Long hours, demanding shifts, and the expectation to always be “on” can take a toll — and too often, we don’t talk about it.
In Australia, mental health struggles are common in hospo. Anxiety, burnout, substance use, and depression are all too familiar — yet the stigma still lingers. The “tough it out” culture just doesn’t cut it anymore.
The Burnt Chef Project
Another fantastic initiative is The Burnt Chef Project — a global not-for-profit social enterprise tackling mental health stigma in hospitality. They provide free 24/7 support services, peer mentoring, educational tools, and certified training programs aimed at improving mental wellbeing at every level of the industry.
The Burnt Chef Project is especially powerful for teams wanting to take a proactive approach, with resources that focus on leadership, resilience, and creating mentally healthy cultures — not just fixing problems when they arise.
Wolf Pack
One resource we really admire for employers and Employees is Nick Mair, a former corporate professional who now dedicates his time to helping workers and businesses better understand and manage mental health. Through his platform, MH Pack, Nick offers free, practical tools like wellness strategies, mindset resources, and team check-in templates — all tailored to the unique demands of hospitality.
Nick also runs paid workshops, training sessions, and mental health camps for both businesses and individuals who want to build stronger, more supportive workplaces. His approach is grounded, relatable, and built for the real world — not a generic HR brochure.
What Can We Do?
At INAC, we’re passionate about creating healthy, respectful environments where our team feels valued and supported.
Whether it’s checking in with a colleague, or pointing someone to resources like MH Pack or The Burnt Chef Project, small actions make a big difference.
