SINGAPORE – Food and beverage operators will now be able to tap on a six-month buddy programme to help them cope with the unique mental stressors associated with the industry.
The newly introduced Makan Buddies programme pairs operators with those in a similar business set-up, providing opportunities to connect, share experiences, and exchange strategies for addressing mental health challenges.
This is part of efforts by the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) to improve mental wellness within the industry.
RAS has over 500 members, 800 F&B and restaurant brand names and 5,000 outlets, which represents about half the restaurants and food outlets in Singapore.
The association worked with the PAP Mental Health Group and community organisations Silver Ribbon (Singapore) and Total Wellness Initiative Singapore (TWIS) to design the peer support programme as well as come up with resources.
The new initiative was launched on World Mental Health Day, Oct 10, at an industry networking session at Orchid Country Club.
Management committee member of RAS Mr Edward Chia said F&B operators face stressors such as rising operational costs, persistent manpower shortages, and increasing customer expectations. Mr Chia is also an MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.
“We want to create a sense of community and deal with leadership isolation because there are times where operators say that there is no one to talk to, and that nobody understands what they are going through,” said Mr Chia, who co-founded F&B company Timbre Group in 2005.
“It’s sometimes not very appropriate to share your challenges with team members, because you need to put on a strong front and certain things are also confidential. So by pairing up operators who may share similar challenges, we can create a safe space where they can confide in each other,” said Mr Chia.
Over the course of the six-month programme, the buddies will be guided by a conversation framework developed by TWIS. Topics they will work through include self-care, managing burnout, people management, money management, leadership, and communication.
”We hope that after leaders have gone through this programme, they will start caring for themselves and start thinking about how they can care for the organisation,” said Mr Chia.
Another resource developed to boost mental wellness in the F&B sector is an online toolkit with practical strategies on coping with stress. Developed together with Silver Ribbon (Singapore), the toolkit features realistic scenarios such as dealing with difficult customers and strategies for F&B staff to navigate these situations.
On top of F&B operators, the toolkit will also be beneficial for F&B managers and supervisors as well, said Mr Chia.
Chief product officer of F&B company The Black Hole Group Sufi Hassan noted that in recent years, there has been a bleak atmosphere for F&B business owners, with discussions often centering around issues like rising rents and lack of manpower.
Mr Sufi expressed his appreciation for the chance to discuss self-care and mental wellness, rather than only dwelling on the problems that the industry faces.
Guest-of-honour at the event, co-chairperson of the PAP Mental Health Group Dr Janil Puthucheary said that national data based on a free online assessment tool by the Ministry of Manpower found that a third of over 15,000 workers in Singapore
reported facing work-related stress or burnout in 2024
.
Dr Janil pointed out that those experiencing workplace stress or burnout tend to take more medical leave and were more likely to encounter accidents or near misses.
These challenges pose significant risks for F&B businesses as they can result in staff shortages or safety lapses in the kitchen.
Strengthening mental well-being is essential in ensuring that F&B businesses remain productive, safe and resilient he added.
“No F&B business should have to face challenges alone. When F&B leaders are supported, their teams are stronger, workplaces are healthier and the industry becomes more resilient,” said Dr Janil.
Mental healthFood and drinkFood and beverage sector