Frequently Asked Questions

WellWeek FAQs

  • WellWeek is a city-wide (future nation-wide!) collaboration to raise awareness of mental illness and spark conversations about suicide prevention. This initiative was created to combat the social bias around depression that may be preventing affected individuals from seeking help. We also provide free training sessions to managers and team members in the F&B Industry.

    In 2018, 34 participating storefronts raised over $5,000.

    In 2019, 55 businesses raised over $7,000 for local mental health organizations.

    In 2020 and 2021, we focused on programming without fundraising.

    In 2022, we raised money to support our mental health care partners.

    We’re ready to make 2023 our best year yet!

  • After a summer of high-profile suicides in 2018, we were compelled to move beyond just shaking our heads in sorrow from loss, to action and efforts to reverse shocking statistics on suicide and depression across the country. Our industry is also realizing that we in the hospitality industry are at higher risk for mental illness, substance abuse and mental health crisis.

    The camaraderie that exists among restaurant staff is often juxtaposed with a stressful work environment, long hours and easy access to alcohol. Our very public role of caring and nourishing our guests is ironically associated with a working class that neglects its own care and is by and large under-insured.

    We need to take a look at our industry and learn how to to support our coworkers, friends and employees, even as we tap into our ability to help change perceptions about mental illness for the public at large.

    Short answer: we’re getting involved because we should.

  • We created industry-specific mental health awareness training sessions, tailored for management and staff.

    Staff Workshop topics include:

    • Signs of depression, anxiety, other mental illness (observable physical symptoms)

    • Triggers

    • Preventive care in the workplace: ‘checking’ in with yourself

    • List of resources to call for mental health crisis, community resources for mental health care

    • How to get your needs met

    • 3 emotional response stages

    Management Workshop topics include:

    • Signs of depression, anxiety, other mental illness (observable physical symptoms)

    • Fostering a positive mental health environment in the workplace

    • “How to listen well.” Even if you’re not naturally compassionate, what verbiage can you use to be a better leader/manager

    • List of resources to call for mental health crisis

    • How to respond to guests and employees in crisis

    • What if you’re a manager and you struggle with mental illness

    • How to talk to higher ups (confidentiality)

    • Triggers — Preventative care in the workplace

 

Suicide Prevention Information

Important Facts:

  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the USA

  • Since 1999, US suicide rates have increased by 24%

  • One in five Houstonians experiences a mental illness

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death between ages 10-34

  • 54% of suicides occur in people with no diagnosis of mental health condition

  • Every 40 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world, dies by suicide.

  • One in eight teens suffers serious depression

  • One in five women who give birth suffer postpartum depression

  • The food service and hospitality industry has the highest rates of substance use disorders and third-highest rates of heavy-alcohol use of all employment sectors.

  • 10% of hospitality industry workers reported an episode of major depression in the past year. For women, this rate was even higher: 15%.

For people with severe depression, it is not uncommon to think about suicide. Below is some information the IHWSH team has sourced from National Suicide Prevention’s website as well other reliable sources.

What you should know if you are worried about someone:

  • Suicides are preventable.

  • It is okay to talk about suicide.

  • Asking about suicide does not provoke the act of suicide. It often reduces anxiety and helps people feel understood.

Warning signs that someone may be seriously thinking about suicide:

  • Threatening to kill oneself.

  • Saying things like “No one will miss me when I am gone.”

  • Looking for ways to kill oneself, such as seeking access to pesticides, firearms or medication, or browsing the internet for means of taking one’s own life.

  • Saying goodbye to close family members and friends, giving away of valued possessions, or writing a will.

Who is at risk of suicide? 

  • People who have previously tried to take their own life.

  • Someone with depression or an alcohol or drug problem.

  • Those who are suffering from severe emotional distress, such as following the loss of a loved one, a relationship break-up, or job loss.

  • People suffering from chronic pain or illness.

  • People who have experienced war, violence, trauma, abuse or discrimination.

  • People who are socially isolated.

What we can do to help others:

  • Find an appropriate time and a quiet place to talk about suicide with the person you are worried about. Let them know that you are there to listen.

  • Encourage the person to seek help from a professional, such as a doctor, mental health professional, counselor or social worker. Offer to accompany them to an appointment.

  • If you think the person is in immediate danger, do not leave him or her alone. Seek professional help from the emergency services, a crisis line, or a health-care professional, or turn to family members.

  • If the person you are worried about lives with you, ensure that he or she does not have access to means of self-harm (for example pesticides, firearms or medication) in the home.

  • Stay in touch to check how the person is doing.

If You Suffer from Depression

What you might be thinking or feeling:

  • The pain seems overwhelming and unbearable.

  • You feel hopeless, like there is no point in living.

  • You are consumed by negative and disturbing thoughts.

  • You cannot imagine any solution to your problems other than suicide.

  • You imagine death as a relief.

  • You think everyone would be better off without you.

  • You feel worthless.

  • You feel very lonely even when you have friends and family.

  • You do not understand why you are feeling or thinking this way.

What you need to remember:

  • You are not alone. Many other people have gone through what you are going through and are alive today.

  • It is okay to talk about suicide. It can help you feel better.

  • Having an episode of self-harm or suicidal thoughts or plans is a sign of severe emotional distress (perhaps as a result of the loss of a loved one, loss of employment, a relationship break-up, or experience of violence or abuse). You are not to blame, and it can happen to anyone.

  • You can get better.

  • There are people who can help you.

What you can do:

  • Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or colleague about how you feel.

  • If you think you are in immediate danger of harming yourself contact the emergency services or a crisis line, or go there directly.

  • Talk to a professional, such as a doctor, mental health professional, counselor or social worker.

  • If you practice a religion, talk to someone from your religious community who you trust.

  • Join a self-help or support group for people with lived experience of self-harm. You can help each other to feel better.