The two insurers have renewed their now four-year partnership with Mr Perfect for another 12 months.
The partnership assists the Mr Perfect team to travel to over 40 locations across Australia to engage in conversations about men‘s mental health through informal BBQs.
Zurich’s head of brand, marketing and corporate affairs, Linda Griffin, has called on the public and private sectors to act on promoting positive mental wellbeing.
“New research into Australia’s mental health emergency by the Centre for Social Impact shows that prevention and early intervention represent our best tools for supporting mental wellbeing,” Ms Griffin said.
“It’s our hope and strong belief that through participation in community programs like Mr Perfect, fewer Australians will reach a point of crisis in their mental health.
“We’ve seen first-hand through the various mental wellbeing programs we support that community-based programs serve a tremendous role. We are inspired by people like Terry Cornick, Mr Perfect’s founder, for the work they do to lift up their communities and fellow Australians.”
The funding has helped boost Mr Perfect’s online services and support, with founder Terry Cornick saying the initiative has grown exponentially.
“When we first started Mr Perfect, even getting men to turn up was a challenge, let alone talk about their mental wellbeing,” he said.
“That’s no longer the case. Our average attendance at BBQs has gone from five to more than 20 and people are more willing to open up. What we’re offering is a soft entry point into mental health awareness and support.
“It’s our hope that men come to our BBQs, have a meaningful conversation with someone they can relate to, and later reflect on whether they need to consider taking the next step in addressing their own mental health concerns.”
The partnership is in line with Zurich and OnePath Life’s ongoing campaign to champion discussions of mental wellbeing in Australia by supporting early intervention and practical behavioural change.
