Affinia urges action on mental health

In a statement, Affinia general manager Craig Parker said his organisation has conducted a number of recent information sessions on the topic and would like to see more advisers taking an active role.

"Awareness is often the best starting place and I believe there is a need for the advice profession to continually explore the sorts of impact mental health and stress can have both at practice level in terms of employee health and well-being, and in terms of better managing our clients," he said.

"It is just so important for the advice community to have a clear understanding of mental health and stress in order to better understand clients' circumstances and to intimately provide them with the best service possible.

"Having the right type of conversation with a client can ensure, for example, that all relevant disclosures are made at application time."

Affinia recently raised $12,500 for the Black Dog Institute at their annual adviser conference held in Tokyo.