Industry Funds Forum mental health foundation SuperFriend was formed in 2007 in collaboration with industry super funds and currently has partnerships with 17 industry funds and seven group insurers.
SuperFriend chief executive Margo Lydon told InvestorDaily the not-for-profit group works with funds, as well as the funds' employers and members, to promote mental health and to hopefully prevent mental health issues and suicide in the first place.
“One in five Australians every year experiences a mental health issue and it’s quite debilitating for a lot of people,” Ms Lydon said. “It can take them out of work, sometimes to never return, and in the worst case scenario suicide is obviously a massive concern for our society.”
SuperFriend is funded by the group insurers based on the relationship of the group premium paid by the fund with the percentage that goes to Super Friend not being charged back by the fund. So there is no cost to the member, according to Ms Lydon.
“This is really a contribution by the insurers,” she said. “We’re on a three-year agreement with our insurers and we’ve got seven of Australia’s largest group insurers committing to their support of SuperFriend and mental health sufferers in Australia.”
The group conducts research in collaboration with insurers and looks to develop targeted initiatives for workplace mental health that will benefit the fund members.
“We have seven modules that have been specifically tailored to the roles of staff across [the super fund and insurance] sector. So claims staff, fund administrator staff, contact centre staff... we’ve got modules there for financial planners, relationship managers etc,” Ms Lydon said.
CommInsure is one of the groups supporting the initiative, with head of group life Claire Roberts describing SuperFriend as “a longer-term investment in mental health promotion that will see members achieve the best health outcomes possible.
“CommInsure continues to work with existing clients and SuperFriend in adopting up to date mental health initiatives to benefit members,” she added.
Noel Nosworthy, managing director of income protection specialist Beazley Group, said all Beazley’s staff have recently undertaken SuperFriend's mental health and wellbeing training program, developed specifically for claims and insurance staff.
“We are seeing this translate into enhanced member services, greater understanding and empathy about mental illness, and even translating into improved morale within our own staff teams,” he said. “This training has been extremely well received, and is being used in our business every day.”
