Mental health resources

Behind You. A no-cost mental health program for F&B workers.

In kitchens nationwide, workers know that when they hear “Behind you,” someone is close by. In that spirit, Behind You is the first mental health program of its kind for F+B by F+B. Through Behind You, we offer accessibility of mental health services to F+B workers across the country, through a university affiliate program providing no-cost counseling to workers and their children in the states below, and by distributing financial assistance through the Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund.

Behind You was created with generous support from BentoBox; Love, Tito’s; ROAR (Restaurants Organizing Advocating Rebuilding); Resy; and Robert M. Sinskey Foundation.

How & Where
We Work

Through our university affiliate program, we grant our partner universities funds that allow for supervised graduate-level clinicians to offer no-cost counseling services to members of our industry in five states. When you, an F&B worker, want to inquire about counseling, we’ll ask you a few questions so we can place you with the right clinician. We’ll then have the clinician reach out to you to schedule a session. To be eligible for the Behind You Program, you must work a minimum of 30 hours a week at a food and beverage establishment for at least six (6) months.

If you live outside of our service states, you can receive financial assistance for mental health crises through our Emergency Relief Fund.

California

Cal Lutheran University

Louisiana

Louisiana State University

Texas

University of Houston

Illinois

Northern Illinois University

New York

Yeshiva University and New York University

Get involved

Southern Smoke Foundation seeks to spread awareness of Behind You nationwide, as well as receive financial support to launch new partner states and continue service in existing areas. If you’re a university or mental health organization interested in partnering with Southern Smoke Foundation as part of our mental health care program, please email Kristen Torrez.

If you’re outside of the states we currently service, please visit our Emergency Relief Funds page to apply for a grant to receive free counseling in your area.

Mental Health Sign-up

If you’re a F&B worker based in a state where we currently offer services and you’re interested in a referral, you can sign up below at any time.

Rest assured, your information is kept private every step of the way—and, we’ll reach out shortly. Expect to hear from Kristen about how we can best help.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.