Help for Those on the Fringe: The Equilibre Foundation

Neal Brown, chef at award-winning Indy bar, The Libertine

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness,” yet only half receive treatment. And research conducted by Oregon Health & Science University shows that the millions working within the hospitality and restaurant industry are “at greater risk for depression, sleep problems and stress compared with employees who work in non-tipped positions.”

Well known as one of the top chefs in the Midwest, Indianapolis-based Neal Brown brings more than 20 years of restaurant experience to the table. He’s earned local and national recognition as both a restaurateur and chef; is a two-time nominee for the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Midwest Region; and his bar, The Libertine, was recognized as one of the 25 Best Bars in America by Esquire magazine. But while his successes have been many, Brown, like so many working in the food industry, suffers from depression and has for many years.

“I’ve been very open about my struggle,” says Brown. “In my industry, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health issues … it’s nothing new.

Workers in the accommodations and food services industry are more likely to self-report illicit drug use and, at nearly 20 percent, post the highest rates of substance use disorder. 
— Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Survey on Drug Use and Health 

“Providing hospitality is a tough business with a lot of stresses. We work long hours in stressful conditions which affect our diet, mood and relationships, and for not a lot of money. Most people are living paycheck to paycheck and don’t have any idea how to be financially responsible.” It’s these conditions, says Brown, that spur drug and alcohol abuse, mental health disorders and lead to high rates of divorce, obesity and depression.

“Think about it: When most everyone else is winding down, relaxing, enjoying a night out … we’re on our top game. We don’t get to relax until everyone else goes home. And when it’s time to go home, when the rest of society is winding down, we’re still jacked up so we go for cocktails with friends … it’s a wicked spiral.”

But while the working environment is unquestionably conducive to poor mental health, the people who work in the food industry tend to be also more susceptible to issues, just by their very nature. “We source people from the fringe of society,” says Brown of many of the people who work in restaurants and bars, whom he describes as “creatives who are great at taking care of others, but lack the time or energy to take care of themselves.”

PROVIDING BALANCE
 

“When the [corona] virus started spreading through our community there was so much disruption,” Brown says. “At first, I knew it would bring on [more] serious depression in myself, but I kind of came out of it and just realized ‘This is only going to get worse.’” That’s when Brown reached out to a few others and the concept for The Equilibre Foundation was born.

“The overwhelming truth is that we lack balance, and the things that make other people successful are the things we’re the worst at,” he says. The Equilibre Foundation aims to help individuals regain balance in their lives by offering resources for addiction services, mental and physical well-being and even financial awareness. “Restaurant workers can not only get the mental health help they need, but they’ll be able to learn tools for being financially responsible and even how to take better care of their physical health.”

Along with Brown, the Foundation consists of nationally recognized experts poised to help those who need it. Peter Dunn, a.k.a. Pete the Planner (USA Today columnist, contributor to CNN Headline News, Fox News, Fox Business, and CEO of HeyMoney.com), will provide financial advice; Amy Peddycord, founder of Invoke Studios, one of the most well known yoga and Pilates studios in Indy, will offer physical wellness options; and Christine Johnson (Vice President of Strategic Planning at the growth strategy firm Prolific and board member of Overdose Lifeline) will provide assistance with mental health resourcing.

Providing hospitality workers with a road map to physical, mental and financial well-being. —The Equilibre Foundation

• Find out more by visiting equilibre.foundation