TAL has launched its client mental health and wellbeing webinar series to help provide financial advisers with the capability to support their clients’ needs.  

The program forms part of TAL Risk Academy’s Client Care Series and will feature several on-demand webinars from TAL Head of Mental Health Glenn Baird and Mental Health Coordinator Vaish Harishanker ahead of Mental Health Awareness Month in October.  

The first webinar is set for September 13, focusing on helping advisers identify signs of clients at increased self-harm risk and develop methods to support them. TAL’s second seminar will provide advisors with a framework to adopt a person-centred approach to communicating with vulnerable clients.  

TAL notes results from its recent survey, in which 68% of Australian financial advisers say they received training to address clients during times of high emotional stress, as an indication of the increasing need from insurers to help provide support for advisors.  

“It can be difficult to have conversations around sensitive topics but there are certain skills and tools which can assist,” Mr Baird said.  

“At the same time, the groups of clients that we might consider vulnerable and in need of additional support have continued to change, particularly post-covid.  

“As an organisation committed to supporting the health and financial wellbeing of Australians, our in-house Health Services Team plays an active role in enhancing advisers’ level of understanding and knowledge around mental health, to help them feel more confident supporting clients who may be vulnerable.”  

TAL confirms the course will count towards participating advisers’ continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.