TAL will provide customers with extended mental health resources after it announced a partnership with the Black Dog Institute and the University of Sydney.
Under the arrangement, TAL’s Health Services Team and academics from the University will also examine alternative risk predictors of mental health disorders as part of the insurer’s ongoing focus on mental health.
The partnership follows TAL’s appointment of Glenn Baird as Head of Mental Health in July (see: TAL Appointment Boosts Mental Health Capabilities) and is consistent with its wider health strategy to build out the insurer’s ability to understand, manage and support the mental, physical and financial health of its customers.
“It’s essential that we have the right skills and expertise to inform our product development and practices…”
“Mental health is an important focus for TAL and one of the top three reasons our customers claimed in 2016. It’s essential that we have the right skills and expertise to inform our product development and practices, reflect evolving clinical best practice, and give our customers the very best support we can,” Baird said.
“The Black Dog Institute and the University of Sydney are making significant contributions to enabling mentally healthier lives, and we look forward to drawing on their expertise to further enhance TAL’s approach to mental health,” he added.
In the year to 31 March 2017, TAL paid over $200 million in mental health claims, and TAL’s Health Services Team has also launched an online awareness course for advisers on the subject of understand cancer conditions (see: TAL Offers Cancer Awareness Course).
