LegalSuper Broadens Mental Health Services for Lawyers

legalsuper has signed a three‑year deal with Mental Health First Aid International to expand mental health training for Australia’s legal workforce, a move that could reach more than 1,000 participants each year.

Partnership aims to boost training participation

The agreement lets the superannuation fund promote MHFA courses directly to its members, employer partners and the wider law community. Since 2019, the collaboration has already seen close to 900 legal professionals complete the training.

Under the expanded plan, the fund expects annual enrolments to exceed the previous threshold. It will also help law firms host on‑site workshops, giving workplaces a convenient way to access the resources.

“Its effects extend beyond mental and physical wellbeing, often impacting financial wellbeing through reduced productivity, lost income and increased financial stress,” said Paul Northey, chief member officer of legalsuper.

He added that the partnership lets MHFA “invest in early intervention across the legal industry, equipping individuals and workplaces with the skills to recognise when someone may be struggling, respond with confidence, and support one another before issues escalate.”

MHFA’s curriculum focuses on improving mental health literacy, cutting stigma and teaching practical ways to aid colleagues, clients and peers. The program’s design matches the fund’s broader wellbeing strategy, which also includes a joint effort with insurer Zurich covering mental, physical and financial health.

According to the filing, mental health conditions rank among the top causes of total and permanent disability claims for legalsuper members, mirroring research that flags similar trends across Australia’s legal sector.

Broader implications for the legal sector

Chief executive Angus Clelland of MHFA International said the partnership “will substantially broaden the organisation’s training across the profession.” He noted that working with law firms directly can help create “safer, more supportive communities within the legal sector.”

The fund’s approach aims to improve member wellbeing outcomes, give employers tools to address mental health challenges, and lessen the long‑term impact of ill‑health on career longevity, performance and financial security.

Legalsuper’s collaboration with MHFA complements its existing partnership with Zurich covering mental, physical and financial health.

For those interested in learning more about the training framework, a summary is available on the Mental Health First Aid Wikipedia page.