Suicide among hospitality workers in Australia, 2006–2017

Abstract

Purpose Suicide among hospitality workers has recently attracted attention in the media. To date, little is known about suicide among hospitality workers in Australia. Methods Suicide data were obtained from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). Occupational suicide rates were calculated using the Australian Bureau of Statistics population-level data from the 2011 census. Negative binomial regression, univariate logistic regression, and multivariate logistic regression were used to estimate the association between suicide and employment as a hospitality worker over the period 2006–2017, compared to all other occupations. Results Suicide rates for chefs was significantly higher than for persons in non-hospitality occupations [incidence rate ratio (IRR), 3.93; 95% CI 2.53–5.79; P < 0.001]. The interaction between occupation and sex was examined with follow-up testing. Suicide rates for female chefs were significantly higher than for females in non-hospitality occupations (IRR, 3.93; 95% CI 2.60–5.94). Suicide rates for male chefs were also significantly higher than males in non-hospitality occupations (IRR, 1.38; 95% CI 1.14–1.67). Compared with non-hospitality occupations, hospitality workers who died by suicide had significantly greater odds of being female (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.50–0.79), residing in residential Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) classified as most disadvantaged (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.19–2.20), and being born outside of Australia (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.34–2.25). Conclusion Results indicate the need for targeted prevention of suicide by Australian hospitality workers. Overall, results suggest that specific hospitality occupations present a higher risk of suicidal behaviour than other non-hospitality occupations.

Workplace‐related determinants of mental health in food and bar workers in Western, high‐income countries: A systematic review

“…Although some health initiatives such as mindfulness, coping skills, nutrition, exercise programs have been tested, 80,109 it appears that few comprehensive mental health intervention programs have been evaluated and reported in the peer‐reviewed literature in food and bar or wider hospitality settings 110 . However, given the significant proportion of at‐risk groups in the workforce, the prevalence and severity of mental disorders amongst food and bar workers, inclusive, culturally‐sensitive and occupation‐specific mental health interventions may be needed 23,25,30,35–39 . As previous research has largely focussed on individual factors and managing reactions to workplace stressors, future research could take a preventative approach, addressing upstream interpersonal determinants of mental health in food and bar workers.…”

“…36,37 Similarly, a 2021 US mortality report identified bartenders, chefs and head cooks amongst the five occupations with the highest rates of death by suicide for women 38 and a 2022 Australian study using population-level data from between 2006 and 2017 found that chefs of any gender were more likely to die by suicide, compared with those working in nonhospitality occupations. 39…”

“…110 However, given the significant proportion of at-risk groups in the workforce, the prevalence and severity of mental disorders amongst food and bar workers, inclusive, culturally-sensitive and occupation-specific mental health interventions may be needed. 23,25,30,[35][36][37][38][39] As previous research has largely focussed on individual factors and managing reactions to workplace stressors, future research could take a preventative approach, addressing upstream interpersonal determinants of mental health in food and bar workers.…”

“…A UK‐based household survey, for example, reported that bar staff, chefs and waiters were among the occupations experiencing the highest prevalence of common mental disorders 35 Between 2011 and 2020, bar staff were identified among the occupations with the highest risk of death by suicide for women across the United Kingdom 36,37 . Similarly, a 2021 US mortality report identified bartenders, chefs and head cooks amongst the five occupations with the highest rates of death by suicide for women 38 and a 2022 Australian study using population‐level data from between 2006 and 2017 found that chefs of any gender were more likely to die by suicide, compared with those working in non‐hospitality occupations 39 …”

POTS and PANdemic: Chef wellbeing amidst COVID-19

“…Nonetheless, there are indications in the literature that chefs can be vulnerable to harm due to negative workplace experiences, for example, by working in fear [2], enduring wage theft [3], and participating in habitual drug and alcohol abuse [4]. An unsettling piece of Australian research revealed that chefs are significantly more likely to commit suicide than are those in the general population [5], highlighting serious risks if their working conditions, and consequential triggers for harm, continue to be neglected by industry and policy makers.…”