The Burnt Chef Project launches accredited mental health and suicide first aid training for Australian hospitality sector

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Globally recognised not-for-profit The Burnt Chef Project has launched hospitality specific mental health first aid training and two accredited suicide prevention training programs - SFA Lite and SFAUSI (Suicide First Aid through Understanding Suicide Interventions) in association with Suicide First Aid and MHFA England.

The Project has also introduced a Global Critical Incident Support Service for hospitality establishments.

These initiatives have been designed to complement the Project’s existing hospitality-specific training and support portfolio which is delivered internationally through accredited inhouse trainers and external partners. The three new programs can be delivered both virtually and in person; SFA Lite is accredited by City & Guild Institute in the UK, while SFAUSI is internationally accredited by City and Guild Institute in UK, Australia, UAE and India.

“Chefs in Australia and New Zealand are experiencing significant financial hardship and mental health issues”

Their launch coincides with the release of The Mental Health and Wellbeing of Chefs in Commercial Kitchens: An Australasian Study, which shows chefs in Australia and New Zealand are experiencing significant financial hardship and mental health issues - with one in ten experiencing difficulties and one in five being extremely likely to leave their jobs in the next year.

Our hospitality teams need us

An Australian study published in 2022 showed chefs were significantly more likely than the general population to commit suicide. And even before the pandemic, the industry’s toxic workplace culture was blamed for mental health issues and high suicide rates among employees. In an Australian government study between 2006 and 2017, it was reported that male chef suicide rates are 1.4 times that of males in all other occupations and female chef suicide rates are 3.9 times that of females in all other occupations.

The Burnt Chef Project Chief Ambassador for Australia Alan Tompkins comments:

While these stats offer a somewhat harrowing view of hospitality, we do well to remember these statistics aren’t just numbers. They are people. People we know, love and care about.

In a profession that operates seven days a week - with diminishing resources that result in turnover rates far above average, and little to no training in leadership or health and  wellbeing - the demands on our workforces are high and the impacts upon mental health are startling and require immediate action.

“It’s vital employers take action to create safe working environments”

— Alan Tompkins

We need a firm focus on how we can: create a world where fewer people die by suicide; reduce stigma; raise awareness; and reinforce the message that suicides are preventable. So much of people’s lives are spent at work that it’s incredibly important for businesses, managers and colleagues to be more aware, to consider the working environment and what they can do to prevent mental ill-health.

Now more than ever, our hospitality teams need us. It’s vital employers take action to create safe working environments with psychologically safe and supportive structures for the sake of their employees and the future of the industry.

These programs are a solid step in the right direction and I urge business owners to get in touch with us. There’s still a way to go in shifting generations of toxic work culture. The line must be firmly drawn in the sand and business owners and operators must make changes to support their teams’ wellbeing.

Significant step for The Burnt Chef Project

The Burnt Chef Project CEO & Founder Kris Hall adds:

The SFA Lite and SFAUSI courses are for employees at all levels and ideal for those who want to help colleagues who may be in distress - but also for those who work in hospitality venues and may be needing to intervene with guests. This is a significant step for The Burnt Chef Project and we are very pleased we can extend our offering to include services that allow us to be able to start to reduce the alarming rate of suicide.

The courses train delegates as a Mental Health First Aider, giving  

  • An indepth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing

  • Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues – and the confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress

  • Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening

  • Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support - whether via self-help resources, through their employer, the healthcare system or a combination of these

  • Introduction to suicide prevention

  • Stigma and survivors of bereavement by suicide and the hidden toll

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviour

  • Intention of behaviour versus outcome of behaviour

  • Suicide Safety Guidance

  • Referring a person to suicide first aid

“There’s still a way to go in shifting generations of toxic work culture”

— Kris Hall

To register interest for your business or find out about upcoming MHFA training, head to https://lnkd.in/enRqKA6d

The Burnt Chef Project builds the capability of owners, line managers and employees by providing training to enhance the awareness of mental health and provide supportive skills to management teams to open conversation and support to those experiencing ill mental health. Services include The Burnt Chef Journal Podcast, The Burnt Chef Support Service, The Burnt Chef Academy App, The Burnt Chef Training Courses, The Burnt Chef Merchandise, The Burnt Chef Diagnostic and Thrive Wellbeing App.

If you are interested in finding out more about the ongoing work of The Burnt Chef Project, please visit https://www.theburntchefproject.com/training