We Got Your Back — Chef Mental Health Resources

Kitchen life is hard. Getting help shouldn't be.

This industry beats people up — long hours, low pay, high pressure, and a culture that tells you to suck it up and get back on the line. The Milk Crate Mafia looks out for its own. If you're struggling, or someone on your crew is, these are real resources built for people who work in food. No shame in it. Use them.

If you're in crisis right now

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or chat online. Free, confidential, 24/7, anywhere in the US.
988lifeline.org

Built for food & beverage workers

Southern Smoke Foundation — Behind You
Free counseling for food and beverage workers (up to 20 sessions, in person or telehealth in participating states), plus emergency relief grants anywhere in the US if money is the crisis.
southernsmoke.org/mental-health

CHOW — Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness
Free weekly peer support meetings (online and in person) run by hospitality people who've been there, plus a free mental health course made for this industry.
chowco.org

Ben's Friends
A sober community for food and beverage professionals. Free meetings in 20+ cities and on Zoom every day — for anyone working on sobriety while still working in restaurants.
bensfriendshope.com

Giving Kitchen
Crisis grants for food service workers hit by illness, injury, housing disaster, or a death in the family — and a Stability Network that connects you to other help.
thegivingkitchen.org

Cleaver & Blade isn't affiliated with these organizations — they're just the ones we'd send our own people to. If a link ever stops working, tell us at info@cleaverandblade.com and we'll fix it.