As a longtime hospitality worker, Olivia McCoy grew up in a family of chefs and got her first restaurant job at the age of 15. She saw firsthand the way that this industry can lead to statistically higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles for its staff. To help address this immense need for mental health resources, she founded WeHelp NOLA in 2019.
“I was essentially trying to find a way to provide accessible therapy and mental health services to the hospitality industry, because they have such high rates of mental health and substance abuse issues, along with all the other systemic issues we see within the industry,” said McCoy. Financial barriers, as well as difficulties navigating mental healthcare resources within traditional healthcare systems, can leave many hospitality workers on their own.
Hospitality Membership and Crisis Management Programs
WeHelp NOLA’s flagship offering is a hospitality membership program. They partner with hospitality venues whose owners pay a low-cost monthly subscription, and through that the entirety of the staff has no-cost access to their therapy and mental health services. It operates at a cost as low as $10 per employee per month, paid by the employer.
In addition, WeHelp NOLA’s emergency counseling crisis program works in response to emergency events in the area. Their past initiatives have been during Covid-19, Hurricane Ida, and the 2025 attack on Bourbon Street. This is a grant and donation-funded program. It offers the same therapy and mental health services as their hospitality membership program, but it does not rely on membership. Individuals are welcome to seek no-cost therapy through them, regardless of employer membership.
The demand for these services is significant. Since 2020, they have provided over 7,500 free therapy sessions. McCoy also visits venues in-person and speaks to the restaurant employees as a fellow hospitality worker to help break down some of the stigma surrounding mental healthcare in the industry. “Mental health is something that everyone deals with on a daily basis, and the more support that we can get for people, the better,” said McCoy. The organization’s long-term plan is to expand to its first city outside of Louisiana in 2027, with an ultimate goal to provide services to many cities on a national scale.
A Necessary Service
This counseling service tends to be well-utilized by the participating hospitality venues. In fact, the team has never had a venue join and not use their offerings. As McCoy explained, even owners or managers who might be a bit hesitant to try out the resources are often surprised when they see the usage rates, which are reported back to them. (Names are never disclosed, and the use is confidential.) Usage rates generally fall between 30 to 70 percent. “It just goes to show how necessary it is in an industry that is plagued with mental health challenges and struggles,” said McCoy. “So, we are excited that we are able to serve a community in need.”
According to 2025 surveys, on average their clients see anxiety decrease by 38%, depression decrease by 37%, and a 56% improvement in their relationship with substances and with substance use. Restaurants overall have experienced a 46% increase in team morale, and a 55% improvement in employee/employer relationships. The program supports both the individuals receiving the services, as well as the employers who see the positive effects on their staff members.
Get Involved
Exposure is crucial to WeHelp’s success, and the team does a lot of outreach to hospitality venues to make sure they know these services are available. In addition, McCoy encourages anyone who works in restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or any other space in the service industry to spread the word about WeHelp. The team also loves to partner with other nonprofits and infrastructure-driven initiatives in the city. This furthers their ability to network and promote resources to those in need.
WeHelp NOLA also utilizes grant funding and donations. Donate via their website or Instagram. These funds keep the emergency program ongoing and accessible, and it supports the low- cost subscription program for hospitality owners.
They host fundraisers throughout the year, including WeHelp Wednesday during the month of May. WeHelp NOLA partners with dozens of local hospitality businesses in the area in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, and the participating bars, restaurants, and other venues donate portions of their proceeds to WeHelp NOLA. It provides an excellent way for people to get involved. By supporting the bars and restaurants that they love, they also give back to a mental healthcare program for hospitality.
WeHelp NOLA, wehelpnola.com, @wehelpnola
