Insurer TAL is launching a mental health course for financial advisers.

The course focuses on explaining the fundamentals of mental wellbeing, provides tips for advisers to improve their function, and practical tools to help advisers support clients suffering from depression or anxiety. It launches on September 4.

“In the rapidly changing environment for financial advisers, it is clear stress levels are higher than in years past,” TAL Lead of Licensees and Partnerships Beau Riley said.

“Advisers are facing widespread reforms, scrutiny, compliance and higher education demands. It’s never been more important to support advisers both professionally and personally as best as we possibly can right now.”

The move comes as the industry is investing increasing resources into mental health support for advisers. The Financial Planning Association (FPA) established a free mental health program in June for advisers struggling under the weight of education and regulatory changes. Media reports say more than a dozen financial advisers have committed suicide in the wake of recent legislative changes.

Former financial planner and Property Funds Management Australia founder Barry Daniels warns that reform fatigue, constant regulatory change and impending changes to life insurance commissions are causing mental health issues for many financial advisers.

Workplace mental health partner SuperFriend says many financial services employees do not engage with external mental health support programs. 33% of its workers live with a mental health condition, making it one of the highest rates of mental ill health in the workforce.

One-quarter are suffering high stress and one-third are concerned with job insecurity, CEO Margo Lydon says.