Super support for mental health

As a member-focused fund, Spirit Super is here for you and your super. That’s why we have recently entered into a three year partnership with R U OK?, a national harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. They work hard to ensure individuals in communities all around Australia feel connected and are protected from suicide. 

How was the last 12 months for you? For many of our members, it’s been a time of great uncertainty, with rising interest rates, rising costs of food, rent and petrol prices and a new post-Covid work environment. 

89% of people know someone who has made a suicide attempt¹. In 2020, there were 3,139 deaths by suicide in Australia². The proportion of mental health illness claims has been growing consistently for Spirit Super.  Poor mental health comes at a cost to individuals and communities – it plays a huge part in earning super and securing a worry-free retirement. 

This important partnership will help R U OK? reach more Australians, providing resources and tools to encourage meaningful conversations every day of the year. It’s also consistent with our commitment as a fund focused on our members’ and their needs.   

You don’t need qualifications to ask the people you care about if they are doing OK.  Listening and giving someone your time might be just what they need to help them through.  

We will be working closely with R U OK? over the next three years, encouraging people to have R U OK? conversations with their mates and colleagues.  We’re also sponsoring the R U OK? Conversation Convoy, that travels to regional communities around the country to help Australians understand the important role we can all play in looking out for our friends, family and colleagues.  For more information visit Conversation Convoy. Even better, if you live close to one of these locations, get yourself along to one of these events. 

We are very proud of this partnership and what it means for our members and the communities they live and work in.  Because a conversation can change a life. 

For support at any time of they day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue’s free telephone counselling service on 1300 22 4636. 

_{¹  Sanford, R (2016). The Ripple Effect: Understanding the Exposure and Impact of Suicide in Australia, Sydney, Suicide Prevention Australia. ISBN: 978-1-921597-70- 
² – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Suicide & self-harm monitoring data. https://www.aihw.gov.au/suicide-self-harm-monitoring/data/suicide-self-harm-monitoring-data}