AMP launches mental health program for advisers
AMP has launched an updated mental health training program for its staff and AMP advisers to build knowledge and skills needed to engage with people experiencing mental health issues.
AMP said the program has been developed with the Black Dog Institute and has been updated with improved tools and functionality, and was above the Financial Services Council’s standard around mental health education.
The program is designed to give people the tools to managed difficult and challenging conversations so that they feel they can support the customer or colleague, including how to direct people to further help, while taking care of their own mental health.
AMP group executive for insurance, Megan Beer, said in 2016 mental health was the top AMP claim condition for women and the second highest for men.
“Improving outcomes for customers impacted by mental health needs a holistic approach; a person’s family, insurer, adviser and GP all need to be on the same page,” Beer said.
“This is why we’re making this training as accessible as possible, beyond just customer facing insurance staff, by offering it to all our staff and AMP advisers.
“We need to focus on education and building awareness at a community level and bust the myths that are barriers to people seeking the help they need.”
Beer noted that the industry needed to ensure people were not afraid of seeking medical assistance because of concerns about insurance implications.
Recommended for you
The Federal Court has dismissed a conflicted remuneration case brought by ASIC against the director of life insurance distributor Freedom Group, where Bali holidays and Vespa purchases were among sales incentives.
Policy and advocacy specialist Benjamin Marshan has left the Council of Australian Life Insurers after less than a year, having joined in March from the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
The declining volume of risk advisers meant KPMG has found a rising lapse rate for insurance policies arranged by independent financial advisers, particularly in the TPD and death cover space.
The Life Insurance Code of Practice has transferred from the Financial Services Council to the Council of Australian Life Insurers.
