Empowering Hospitality Workers to 86 Toxic Work Culture
We’re building a mental health movement for food and beverage workers — because no one should suffer in silence behind the line.
Cafe86SA was founded to support food and beverage workers facing toxic work environments. But we quickly realized the need goes far beyond one industry. Toxic leadership, exploitation, and mental health burnout affect people in every field. That’s why we’ve expanded our mission to help anyone struggling at work — whether you’re in a kitchen, a cubicle, or on a construction site.
We know the challenges that come with the job—long hours, physically demanding work, unpredictable pay, and the constant hustle. When life throws unexpected hardships your way, you shouldn’t have to face them alone. That’s where we come in. Cafe86SA provides financial assistance, mental health resources, career guidance, and a network of support for hospitality workers of all ages and backgrounds.
Whether you're dealing with a crisis, looking for advice, or just need to know someone has your back, we're here. Hospitality runs on passion and perseverance, and when you need a helping hand, Cafe86SA is ready to serve you. Because this industry isn’t just a job—it’s a family, and family looks out for each other.
Who We Are
Cafe86SA is a nonprofit dedicated to mental health, recovery, and empowerment for the hospitality industry.
We’re former chefs, servers, bartenders, and dishwashers — people who’ve faced toxic kitchens, mental burnout, substance abuse, and silence.
Now we’re building something different:
A safe space. A support network. A movement.
Our Mission
To end mental health stigma in the food and beverage world.
To help workers access care, find peer support, and leave toxic jobs with dignity.
What We Offer
Mental Health Resource Maps
We’ve mapped mental health clinics, recovery centers, AA/NA meetings, and wellness spaces in all 50 states.
Peer Circles
Private, moderated support groups you can join — online or in person.
Advocacy Tools
Want to file an EEOC claim? Document abuse? We offer guidance and courage.
Membership Options
Become part of the community. Get access to exclusive channels, toolkits, and live sessions for just $75/month.
Your State, Your Support
Find local support where you live:
Make a Difference
Donate or Become a Sponsor
Help us support more workers, expand our reach, and keep our peer circles alive.
Sponsor tiers:
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$75/month – Sponsor a worker’s recovery journey
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$500/month – Support peer group facilitators
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$1,250/month – Become a featured corporate ally
Donate
Make a donation
Your donation supports mental health and recovery for hospitality workers.Cafe86SA provides free peer support, resources, and safe spaces through our Discord community and outreach. Your gift helps us keep it accessible, grow our programs, and support those who need it most.
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Crisis Support
If you are in immediate crisis:
Call 988 or Text HOME to 741741
You are not alone.
We’re here when you’re ready.
Wellness
Discord
join our server
Discord is an instant messaging and VoIP social platform that allows users to communicate through voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and media sharing. It supports both private and public communication, with the latter taking place in virtual communities called "servers". Users can join or create servers, which are collections of chat rooms and voice channels accessible via invite links.
Online Store
100% of the profits from our online store are reinvested into creating FREE supportive and educational resources for the industry. Thanks to these contributions, so far we've been able to provide free, 24/7 mental health support to thousands of hospitality workers in crisis.
86 Toxic Workplaces
“It’s time to 86 abuse in the kitchen.”
Resources, tools, and support for hospitality workers fighting toxic environments.
You deserve to work in a place where you’re respected, not abused. PERIOD. If you’re in the food and beverage industry and being harassed, bullied, screamed at, manipulated, or put in unsafe situations—you’re not alone. And you don’t have to take it quietly anymore.
86 Toxic Workplaces Toolkit
Quick Links:
1. Know Your Rights
2. Document Everything
3. Speak Up (Safely)
4. Take Action
5. Expose the Truth
6. Find Support
Resources
USA helplines
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433
LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255
Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Sexuality Support: 1-800-246-7743
Eating Disorders Hotline: 1-847-831-3438
Rape and Sexual Assault: 1-800-656-4673
Grief Support: 1-650-321-5272
Runaway: 1-800-843-5200, 1-800-843-5678, 1-800-621-4000
Exhale: After Abortion Hotline/Pro-Voice: 1-866-4394253
Self Harm: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
Pregnancy Hotline 1-800-4-OPTIONS (1-800-467-8466)
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Youth Support Line 800-850-8078
National Association for Children of Alcoholics 1-888-55-4COAS (1-888-554-2627)
National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)
National Drug Abuse Hotline 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)
National Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-448-4663
Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention 1-800-931-2237
Veterans: 1-877-VET2VET
Adolescent Suicide Helpline: 1-800-621-4000
Postpartum Depression: 1-800-PPD-MOMS
Nami Helpline: 1-800-950-6264
Our Sponsors
Online Therapy Platforms
that offer professional mental health support
BetterHelp (betterhelp.com) — Offers licensed therapists via text, chat, phone, and video. They provide specialized therapy for various issues, including stress, anxiety, relationships, and more.
Talkspace (talkspace.com) — Connects you with licensed therapists through text, audio, and video messaging. They also partner with some health insurance providers.
Regain (regain.us) — Focuses specifically on couples therapy, offering support through online sessions.
Pride Counseling (pridecounseling.com) — Specializes in therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Online-Therapy.com (online-therapy.com) — Provides CBT-based therapy with worksheets, live sessions, and messaging.
7 Cups (7cups.com) — Offers free emotional support from trained listeners and affordable online therapy with licensed therapists.
Amwell (amwell.com) — Offers a range of mental health services, including therapy and psychiatry, through video sessions.
Foundations and Organizations
that provide financial assistance for mental health care
The Hope for Depression Research Foundation (hopefordepression.org)
Offers resources and information about accessing mental health care.
The Loveland Foundation
Provides financial assistance for therapy, primarily to women and girls of color.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) (adaa.org)
Offers a list of low-cost resources and sometimes provides scholarships for therapy.
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective (openpathcollective.org)
Connects people with affordable, in-network therapists, with sessions typically ranging from $30 to $60.
SAMHSA
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) (samhsa.gov)
Provides a treatment locator and offers information on financial assistance for therapy.
Mental Health America (MHA)
Offers a wealth of resources, including information on how to access low-cost or free therapy.
The Jed Foundation
Focuses on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide, with resources for finding affordable care.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
(nami.org)
Offers support groups, resources, and guidance on accessing affordable mental health care.