Suncorp and Black Dog Institute develop mental health initiatives for our people and communities

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Suncorp Executive General Manager Consumer Prevention & Protection Portfolio Anna Cartwright and Black Dog Institute Senior Partnerships Manager Colin Moore.

Since 2023, Suncorp and Black Dog Institute have worked together to embed research-based mental wellbeing support through the insurer's employee and leadership training programs, workshops and toolkits.

In 2025, the partners are proud to embed mental wellbeing support resources externally in community settings too.

As the severe weather season begins, Australians often think of the physical protection of their home and its resilience to withstand extreme weather.

However, Suncorp and Black Dog Institute recognise the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing and resilience of the communities it serves.

Leveraging evidence-based research compiled by Black Dog Institute, Suncorp has developed new resilience resources for customers and community members, designed to provide tips and advice before and after a severe weather event.

The new resources are part of a proactive approach that aims to help reduce the impact of extreme weather on the community.

There are four new community resources that outline practical advice and tips for individuals, and guides for helping others (including children) before and after an extreme weather event:

1. An emotional readiness guide

2. A guide to helping others prepare

3. An emotional recovery guide

4. A guide to helping others recover

Suncorp Executive Manager Disaster Response Lilly Broodbank said: "Disasters do not just impact our homes and belongings - we see first-hand the emotional toll they have on our communities.

Suncorp Executive Manager Disaster Response, Lilly Broodbank

We developed these guides to help make sure our customers and the community have all the resources they need to be emotionally prepared and connected for this season, including recovery.

"Suncorp is proud to introduce new initiatives to promote resilience in collaboration with our partners like Black Dog Institute.

"We also worked together to enhance our Stay Safe Activity Book; a practical tool that blends disaster preparedness with wellbeing messaging, with updated and expanded activities that empower children to understand how small practical things can make a big difference in severe weather.

"These updated books and new resources will be available at community events around Australia for attendees to take, and available online."

Black Dog Institute Senior Research Fellow Dr Mark Deady explained that natural disasters can affect community mental health in several ways, including chronic stress, burnout, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions such as PTSD.

To help Suncorp develop the new resources, Black Dog Institute's team leveraged its considerable expertise in first responder mental health including its own National Emergency Worker Support Service, along with best evidence practice for resilience and disaster recovery.

Dr Deady explained: "We've conducted extensive evidence reviews on best practice guidance for those exposed to natural disaster including, prevention, symptom management, and recovery."

Black Dog Institute Senior Partnerships Manager Colin Moore said Suncorp was leading the way as an advocate supporting emotional resilience within the community.

Black Dog Institute Senior Partnerships Manager, Colin Moore

Our collaboration with Suncorp marks an exciting step in building mentally healthier, more resilient communities.

"This partnership reflects a shared commitment to prevention and early intervention, helping people prepare for and adapt to life's challenges.

"We see this as just the beginning. Together, we have the opportunity to shape how resilience is understood and supported across the insurance industry."

Suncorp and Black Dog Institute have also evolved employee wellbeing initiatives

Suncorp is proud to partner with Black Dog Institute on initiatives that promote a mentally healthy workplace for all employees.

A significant achievement of the partnership to date was the creation of new training and education workshops and courses, developed based on medical research from Black Dog Institute and curated by its scientists and subject matter experts.

Feedback from Suncorp's people has been positive.

Since January 2023, more than 750 leaders have completed Black Dog Institute's interactive workshop 'Managing for Team Wellbeing', providing participants with the skills required to support their teams.

The training includes the latest information on how to recognise when someone needs support, and how to provide it effectively.

Black Dog Institute Workplace Engagement Manager Leighton Hellem-Williams explained: "We're helping equip Suncorp leaders to observe behavioural changes in their team members, to have the confidence to check in early and often, and to find their own voice.

"The online training and in-person workshops help them to authentically talk to their team members and remove barriers to engaging in support.

"It's about learning how to have healthy boundaries around these conversations; they don't need to have the answers, but they can be the enabler and the champion of getting the support that a team member needs."

Suncorp and Black Dog Institute have also developed tailored resources for customer-facing support team members

Customer-facing roles in many industries can take an emotional toll; team members can be adversely impacted by the stories of the people that they are working with, and they may need wellbeing support to help them professionally and personally.

Suncorp wants to ensure that our people feel validated, cared for, and that they are aware of the range of different support resources available to them, such as the Employee Assistance Program that can facilitate free expert support, coaching and guidance, to boost wellbeing in a range of work, health, family, and life areas.