TAL will provide mental health coaching for senior staffers and claims managers as part of its efforts to assist policyholders working through claims related to mental illness.
The life insurer will run two programs, using best practice approaches developed by workplace mental health consultants, SuperFriend, which will be led by TAL Head of Mental Health, Glenn Baird.
The coaching program for claims managers will focus on strengths-based, outcome-focused techniques to better understand goals of the claimant and direct the claims management process with these goals in mind and will be delivered to all claims teams across TAL.
The program for senior staffer leading business teams will be mandatory and will focus on skills and tools to support staff and allow further discussions around mental health within TAL.
Baird said the coaching programs “…are key initiatives in TAL’s mission to enhance our mental health capability” for claimants and “…as an employer we are committed to encouraging positive mental health and wellness in our people so that everyone at TAL can be well”.
“We understand that it’s not always easy to have sensitive conversations around mental health in the workplace and this practical program will help our people identify when support is needed, how and when to have discussions with their teams, and give them resources to support them in their roles,” Baird said.
The move adds to a number of previously announced initiatives related to mental health including a partnership with the Black Dog Institute, the University of Sydney and Professor Neil Greenberg through which TAL can access mental health resources, research on risk predictors of mental health disorders and practice management of traumatic stress among claims case managers.
