NSW-based Local Government Super (LGS) has partnered with national workplace mental health organisation SuperFriend who will support LGS employees and members in partnership with LGS’ group insurer TAL.
The support would include a range of online and facilitated training programs, consulting, webinars and other resources.
The aim of the partnership was to ensure a health and safe work environment, to reduce work-related mental health risks for employees, and to help members reach a mental and financially health retirement.
LGS joined 24 other profit-to-member funds and eight group insurers in partnering with SuperFriend, which was created by the sector to reduce the impact of incidence of suicide and improve workplace mental health.
LGS chief executive, Phil Stockwell, said: “Over the last six months, COVID has highlighted the need for all of us to look after our own mental health as well as the mental health of our family and our colleagues. We can all experience stress, anxiety, or even depression at some point in our lives, but with the right support you can come out the other side stronger and more resilient”.
SuperFriend chief executive, Margo Lydon, said: “Our ‘2019 Indicators of a Thriving Workplace’ national research revealed that, despite assumptions around security and low stress in government occupations, public administration and safety was one of the top three industries where workers felt their workplace has caused a mental health condition. Our 2020 research will be released on 9 October so expect some insights into how COVID-19 has further impacted this sector”.
Andrew Howard, TAL chief commercial officer for group life and investments, said: “Now, more than ever, it is essential that Australians have access to education and support for mental health. At TAL, we have worked closely with SuperFriend to successfully embed compulsory mental health training for our people leaders and further training to support the mental wellbeing of our employees and customers”.
