TAL will work with Orygen, a non-profit youth mental health researcher, to raise community awareness of the illness.

“Mental health is a topic of national importance for Australia and an important focus for TAL,” Group CEO Brett Clark said.

“It is one of the three focus areas of the TAL Community Foundation, and an area where we intend to lead the industry, challenging and changing how we handle mental health as an employer and as a life insurer.”

Mental health was among the top five causes of claims payouts last year for TAL.

Orygen says mental illness accounts for 45% of the overall burden of illness in the 10-24 age group worldwide.