Mental health

There is a common myth that if you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition now or in the past, you won’t be able to get life insurance. In reality, it depends on how your condition is being managed, what treatments you are receiving, and if you have any symptoms at the time of application.

When you apply, we will take into account:

• any diagnosis you have previously had
• the types of treatment you have received, or are currently receiving (such as medications or cognitive behavioural therapy)
• the impact symptoms have had on your ability to work or study
• the nature, severity and duration of your symptoms and how they have been, or are being managed
• your general health and lifestyle, work, and family medical history.

Mental health conditions are not static and are constantly evolving, which may give rise to recurrence or further signs or symptoms. The presence of one mental health condition does not directly cause that of another, but it has been shown to increase the risk of one developing. For example, it has been shown that anxiety disorders are more frequent where someone has previously experienced depression.

When applying for life insurance, each customer is assessed based on their own unique situation. In some cases, premium loadings or medical exclusion terms may be applied to a policy. In other cases, however, the nature of the condition may mean that you are covered with no premium loadings or medical exclusions.

Many people rely on the self-management of symptoms. This carries the potential risks of not receiving adequate care and exacerbating symptoms, which could lead to greater care needs in the long term. By seeking help, you can access the appropriate support and treatment at the right frequency, and this may help prevent a deteriorating condition down the line.

As important as diagnosis is for treatment, you may be hesitant to seek professional help if you feel a diagnosis might define you in some way or hinder your ability to get insured. We acknowledge that working through a mental health condition and recovering is a complex process requiring determination and patience. That is why we consider your individual circumstances when you apply. Having a diagnosis will not automatically exclude you from being eligible for insurance.

When we think of grief, it is usually in terms of losing a loved one, but grief can extend beyond bereavement. Grief can be defined as the effects of any break in attachment. This may be in the form of the loss of a beloved family member or friend, going through a relationship breakdown, being diagnosed with a terminal illness, feeling you have lost your identity if you are unable to work for a time, or losing your financial status or lifestyle. Grief may affect your emotions, physical health, thoughts, behaviour and social interactions.

To help you navigate the process of grieving, we have partnered with Assure programs to offer a dedicated Grief Support service that’s available to:

• immediate family members of a loved one who has become terminally ill or passed away and/or
• customers who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Find out more about TAL Grief Support.

Grief is a natural human response to a break in attachment but when the response becomes prolonged, it may develop into a mental health condition. If this happens, it may be worth considering seeking professional support.

If you have claimed on an Income Protection policy and need support to return to work, our Career Coaching service may help you with:

• return to work plans
• career coaching assessment to identify suitable alternative occupation
• job search support
• introduction to prospective employers and sourcing work trials
• access to practical training and certified upskilling courses
• support for new business development.

Find out more about TAL Career Coaching.

If you have had to make a claim on your life insurance, you are likely going through a difficult period in your life. Whether you have lost a loved one, are unable to work due to illness or injury, or have been diagnosed with a critical illness or permanent disability, your mental health may also be affected.

You may experience a range of emotions such as grief, anger, sadness, irritability or frustration and this could affect family, social relationships and domestic responsibilities.

This is why we developed our Claims Hub to offer you support in all areas of the claims process, from mental health resources to support returning to work.

Our mission is to provide our customers with financial support while they are unable to work and to support their wellbeing. No matter your policy, if mental health is covered in your policy agreement, we will be here to support you if you need to make a claim.

As we noted above, mental health can be evolving and complex, and we understand that people sometimes need to make more than one claim during the life of their policy. As a general rule*, if your policy covers you for mental health conditions up to the age of 65, you are not limited in the number of claims you can make, even for the same condition. If you need to make a claim, we will explain how your policy works, and what you are covered for, and support you through the process.

Here are some helpful resources you might find useful:

SANE is the leading national mental health organisation for people with complex mental health issues in Australia and for the families and friends that support them.

Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.

Mental Health Online offers comprehensive and effective online services and programs free of charge.

Moodgym is an interactive program that helps you learn and practise skills to cope with symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Partners In Depression offers support and information to those who are helping someone who is currently experiencing a mental health issue.

13YARN provides 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

We acknowledge that mental health conditions do not only affect the person diagnosed but can also affect those who love and support them. Here are some resources for you to get the support you need to keep caring for your loved one.

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative that provides a range of tailored supports and services to help carers manage their daily challenges, reduce stress and plan for the future.

SANE is the leading national mental health organisation for people with complex mental health issues in Australia and for the families and friends that support them.

Partners In Depression offers support and information to those who are helping someone who is currently experiencing a mental health issue.

Cancer Council offers support and advice for people caring for someone with cancer.