Michigan's Hidden Helpers: A Lifeline for Food Workers

Did you know that if you work in Michigan's food and beverage industry, you can get free mental health support? It's true! The program, called Behind You, is designed to help people in this often stressful field. You might qualify if you work at least 30 hours a week and have been on the job for six months. This includes everyone from farmers to delivery drivers, and even those working in grocery stores. The program started because of the high stress levels in the food industry. It was inspired by the tragic loss of Anthony Bourdain, a famous chef who struggled with mental health issues. Behind You is now available in 12 states, including Michigan, thanks to the Southern Smoke Foundation. The foundation was created by Chris Shepherd and his wife, Lindsey Brown, after a friend was diagnosed with a serious illness. In Michigan, the program is run by the Michigan School of Psychology (MSP). They offer up to 20 free counseling sessions, with the option to continue at a low cost. The counselors are graduate students supervised by experienced psychologists. Jim Maher, the clinic director, and Holly Tocco, the director of operations, are spreading the word about this valuable resource. Working in the food industry can be tough. Long hours, low pay, and dealing with customers can take a toll on anyone. Many workers also face financial instability and easy access to drugs and alcohol. The program aims to provide a safe space for these workers to talk about their struggles and get the help they need. Despite the program's benefits, not many people know about it yet. Maher and Tocco are working hard to spread the word. They leave information cards in restaurants and talk to workers about the program. They hope to see more people take advantage of this lifeline soon. The program has already helped some people. For example, a worker in Traverse City has had seven Zoom sessions with a counselor. The counselor, Selwa Aboudane, says she has learned a lot from the experience and hopes to help more workers in the future. It's a reminder that those who serve us every day also need support sometimes.