Support for advisers’ mental health crucial

TAL has announced the launch of a series of live and on-demand content to support licensees and financial advisers to manage and enhance their own mental health, alongside their clients’ personal and mental wellbeing, at a time when the advice industry is facing considerable change. 

“With the combination of industry change in the advice sector and the current challenges across Australia and around the world, the importance of maintaining mental health has never been more important,” said TAL head of mental health Glenn Baird.

“This significance is magnified when you consider the role a financial adviser plays in the life and wellbeing of their clients — to effectively support the mental health and overall wellbeing of their clients, they must be engaged with their own mental health.”

As such, TAL’s mental health insights and support will focus on helping advisers hone their empathy skills to enable deeper engagement with clients and building greater understanding around the importance of self-care.

“The TAL Risk Academy mental wellbeing courses are designed to inspire positive change by equipping advisers and licensees with the tools and services to adapt to the evolving mental health landscape and start supportive conversations to help them better connect with their clients,” Mr Baird added.

Commenting on the TAL Risk Academy’s latest project, delivered jointly with Lifeline Australia, head of crisis services and quality at Lifeline Rachel Bowes stressed the importance of this topic for advisers and their clients.

“Recognising that the financial advice industry is going through a challenging period, we worked with TAL Risk Academy to develop a course that supports advisers, especially when engaging with clients at a difficult time,” Ms Bowes said.

“Positive communication skills are invaluable when it comes to sensitive topics such as mental health, that’s why we are encouraging advisers and licensees alike to keep up their education and engagement in this space.”