Supporting your clients mental health
Glenn Baird, Head of Mental Health
This Mental Health Awareness Month, hear from our Head of Mental Health, Glenn Baird, on how together we can support our clients at their most difficult times.
Last year, mental health conditions were the number one reason for customers to make a claim at TAL for the first time. In the last financial year (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022), we paid a total of approximately $611m to 6,586 customers with mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression1.
With claims for mental health conditions continuing to grow, we are committed to doing more to identify, prevent and support Australians with mental health conditions. Mental illness is a complex area, and we are continually working to increase our understanding.
One of the ways we do this is through our Mental Health Action Group, which brings together leading mental health experts, including those with lived mental health conditions, to help us drive positive change across our services.
How the right cover can help your clients
At TAL, the majority of mental health claims (71%) are made under income protection policies, followed by total permanent disability cover (25%) and life cover (4%)2.
Pre-existing or prior mental health conditions may impact your client’s ability to obtain life insurance cover. It may be useful to obtain information about your client’s individual circumstances in order to obtain a pre-assessment. This can help in understanding what cover is appropriate and available.
With the rising prevalence of mental health conditions, it’s important to keep in mind that help is at hand, from friends, family, health professionals and community support services, and from your life insurer.Resources and support
Lifeline 13 11 14
Call 24/7 for crisis support and suicide prevention services
Text support is also available on 0477 131 114
SANE Australia 1800 187 263
10am-10pm Monday to Friday
Mental illness advice, referral and support via phone, webchat or email.
For more information on TAL's commitment to mental health, visit our most recent whitepaper.
1 Claims statistics based on total claims paid under TAL Life Limited insurance products between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022.
2 Claims statistics based on total number of decided claims (excluding funeral insurance) that were accepted between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. A claim is decided on when a decision is reached as to whether or not the claim is payable.