As eateries reopen, mental health concerns are part of the equation, too

A popular ice cream spot on Cape Cod had hoped to open quietly on the Friday before Mother’s Day. Mark Lawrence, owner of Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour in Mashpee, Mass., posted online that orders had to be placed one hour in advance, but overeager customers didn’t listen and instead came directly to the store. When staff couldn’t fill orders quickly, several customers took their anger out on the employees. The profane language directed at one 17-year-old caused her to quit at the end of her shift, Lawrence told Boston 25 News. The risks and isolation associated with COVID-19 have elevated everyone’s anxiety, but foodservice employees are among the most vulnerable. Many have been furloughed or have had to work in close quarters prepping and delivering meals following strict safety protocols. And once restaurants reopen for dine-in, everything from wearing a mask during table service to fears about contamination can heighten stress. With that in mind, taking care of one another now can pay off in the long run. “We’ve all lost something during this health crisis,” says Katherine Thyne, a psychotherapist based in Atlanta. “Managers and owners need to acknowledge that collective grief as well as individual grief, as do employees. But it’s up to leadership to share a reassuring message that everyone is on the same mission.” Take a look at how some operators are providing mental health support during COVID-19—often without a huge investment of time or money.Photograph courtesy of K&N Management