AIA Australia has unveiled My Psychologist, a virtual mental health support service designed to assist its life insurance customers and their immediate families.
The service, powered by Online Psychologists Australia, offers virtual consultations with licensed psychologists and facilitates referrals for Mental Health Care Plans by connecting users to telehealth general practitioners when necessary.
Mental health challenges have long been a leading reason Australians visit general practitioners. However, access to psychologists has often been impeded by long wait times and high costs.
To address these barriers, AIA Australia aims to provide users with appointments within seven days. For those with a Mental Health Care Plan, consultations will incur a reduced out-of-pocket cost of $60 through Medicare, according to an official statement.
Mental health issues currently represent 20% of AIA Australia’s life insurance claims, making them the second most common reason for claims. Over the past decade, the prevalence of such claims has risen significantly, increasing from 10% in 2014 to 25% in 2024.
A Step Toward Timely Mental Health Support
Damien Mu, CEO of AIA Australia, highlighted the critical role of My Psychologist in promoting early intervention as part of the company’s wellbeing initiative, AIA Embrace.
“Focusing on prevention and health promotion, we understand the profound impact that accessing the right treatment early can have on overall health,” Mu said.
“The launch of My Psychologist for our life insurance customers and their families is a response to the growing demand for qualified psychological services. This service empowers users by providing timely access to mental health support, helping them navigate their mental health journey with professional care.”
Support for Superannuation Members
Members of HESTA, a superannuation fund with over one million members, will be among the first to access the service. Many HESTA members work in high-stress roles within the health and community services sector, making them particularly susceptible to mental health challenges.
Lisa Samuels, HESTA’s Chief Experience Officer, noted the potential for My Psychologist to make a significant difference for these workers.
“Due to the demanding nature of their roles, some of our members face mental health challenges, which can lead to extended time away from work. HESTA analysis shows that poor mental health can reduce members’ superannuation savings at retirement by as much as 27%,” Samuels said.
With My Psychologist, AIA Australia seeks to offer a vital lifeline for mental health support, addressing a critical need for timely, accessible care while promoting overall wellbeing for its customers and their families.
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