TAL reports strong member engagement with its COVID-19 support services

Leading Australian life insurer, TAL, has reported strong uptake of its COVID-19 wellbeing and career support services with its superannuation fund partners, with seven partners focused on engaging members around the initiatives so far.

The wellbeing and career support services include access to TAL’s online mental wellbeing program, Headlight, in addition to career guidance content that further supports members impacted by COVID-19 and members who may have drawn on the Government’s Early Release of Superannuation (ERS) scheme.

Headlight uses a secure online tool developed by TAL in partnership with the University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre to help superannuation fund members understand and manage their mental wellbeing. By identifying lifestyle risk factors and behaviours, Headlight provides targeted recommendations to support members’ overall health.

Andrew Howard, TAL Chief Commercial Officer, Group Life & Investments, said TAL was delighted to be able to further engage and support superannuation fund members by extending TAL’s services to them during challenging times.

“COVID-19 has made many of us realise that we live in an unpredictable world, and we understand that members are navigating uncertain times. TAL is proud to be supporting our superannuation fund partners by providing access to targeted services and resources for members who may have had their livelihoods put at risk as a result of the pandemic.

“While COVID-19 started out as a health crisis, it has progressed into an economic one, and could ultimately lead to a social crisis, with many Australians experiencing impacts on their mental wellbeing.

“TAL has a focus on the three pillars of physical health, mental health and financial wellbeing, and our strategy to bring together TAL’s group insurance and health services capabilities under a single function means we’ve been able to support the wellbeing needs of superannuation fund members by quickly adapting our Headlight program to introduce new resources. This includes a wellbeing counselling service to support people who may be at higher risk of a mental health condition as a result of COVID-19.

“The insights gathered from our Headlight program will also contribute to the University of Sydney’s research into the mental health of the Australian population. Through the engagement of thousands of members, we will investigate how improved awareness of mental health risk factors impacts the use of mental health resources, recognising TAL’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Australian community.”

WA Super is one of the superannuation funds that initially launched TAL’s wellbeing support services to 3,700 of their members who have been impacted by COVID-19 and drawn on the ERS scheme.

WA Super CEO, Fabian Ross, said he is not surprised there is strong engagement in TAL’s wellbeing and support services, and he appreciates the opportunity to help WA Super members beyond offering superannuation and financial services.

“In partnership with TAL, we are pleased to create more meaningful interactions for our members. I believe WA Super members can benefit greatly from the articles, wellbeing services and apps provided through TAL’s Headlight program; especially during these difficult times.

“Along with many Australians, our members are facing emotional struggles too. Therefore, by offering this type of support, we have made it easy for our members to access important information, which will help build their emotional confidence, today and into the future,” he said.