Colorado food and beverage workers can now access up to 20 free mental health counseling sessions through a new partnership [1].
This initiative addresses the specific mental health needs of restaurant and bar employees, a workforce that often lacks comprehensive health benefits or accessible support systems. By removing financial barriers, the program aims to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help in the hospitality industry.
The program is a collaboration between the Southern Smoke Foundation and DU [1], [2]. It is designed to provide immediate relief to those working in the high-pressure environments of the food and beverage sector across Colorado.
Organizers said the goal is to reach workers in ways that fit their demanding schedules. The program focuses on accessibility and removing the hurdles that typically prevent service industry staff from receiving professional care [2].
"We want to be able to meet food and beverage workers where they're able to see us," Noelle Lefforge said [2].
Eligible workers can apply for the sessions, which are capped at a maximum of 20 per person [1]. The partnership leverages the resources of both organizations to ensure that the counseling is professional, and tailored to the unique stressors of the hospitality field.
The rollout is effective immediately, providing a critical safety net for employees who may be struggling with burnout, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. The Southern Smoke Foundation has previously worked to support the industry, and this expansion into Colorado marks a targeted effort to stabilize the local workforce [1], [2].
“Colorado food and beverage workers can now access up to 20 free mental health counseling sessions.”
This partnership highlights a growing recognition of the mental health crisis within the hospitality sector, where long hours and low pay often correlate with high stress. By providing a fixed number of free sessions, the Southern Smoke Foundation and DU are creating a low-barrier entry point for clinical support, potentially reducing turnover and improving overall worker well-being in Colorado's service economy.
