Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 3 - Machetes Optional: WeHelpNOLA Navigates the Hospitality Mental Health Jungle

About this episode

This episode explores the mental health challenges faced by hospitality workers and how WeHelpNOLA is addressing these issues.

In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we’re diving headfirst into the mental health jungle of the hospitality industry with Olivia McCoy from WeHelpNOLA. From long hours and emotional labor to burnout being worn like a badge of honor, hospitality workers are expected to show up smiling—no matter what’s happening behind the scenes.We explore what makes this industry uniquely tough on mental health, why exhaustion has been normalized, and how resilience often comes at a real cost. Olivia also shares how WeHelpNOLA is working to bridge the gap between hospitality workers and accessible, affirming mental health care—breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and meeting people where they are.This conversation is about more than naming the problem; it’s about highlighting solutions, community-driven support, and what it looks like to make mental health care actually attainable in an industry that rarely slows down.If you’ve ever powered through a shift on empty, struggled to set boundaries, or wondered if there’s a better way to survive—and even thrive—in hospitality, this episode is for you.Grab your headphones. This one hits home.If this episode made you think, “Okay… I need this,”…

People in this episode

Host: Shrinking Heads

Guest: Olivia McCoy

Topics covered

• mental health
• hospitality industry
• burnout
• resilience
• accessible mental health care
• community support

Keywords

• hospitality
• mental health
• burnout
• resilience
• WeHelpNOLA
• emotional labor
• support

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: WeHelpNOLA

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