‘We need to look after our industry family’: FBAA

“Mental health challenges in the broker sector are rising and we need to look after our industry family and make sure we can do everything we can to support them when times get tough,” Mr White said.

The FBAA will hold an event on 14 September at the Melbourne Convention Centre to “pave the way forward” and promote stronger mental health support systems in the finance sector.

The event, which corresponds with "R U OK? Day", will be the first of a series of initiatives the FBAA is planning for 2017, 2018 and years to come.

“This is our first step as the mental health advocate for the industry, and we believe it’s a vitally important issue that needs to be addressed,” Mr White said.

“We want to encourage everyone to talk openly about this subject to their friends and colleagues if they are facing challenges, as having the conversation is extremely important.”

The event will feature presentations from mental health experts who will give tips on how to approach mental health in the workplace and achieve a healthy work/life balance.

The association will follow up the event with dedicated mental health discussion panels at its national industry conference on 24 November on the Gold Coast. Angry Anderson, an Australian rock star and mental health ambassador, will also speak at the November conference.

Sam Makhoul, managing director at MSA National and workplace wellness advocate, said that writing in a diary, deep breathing, exercise and meditation are rituals brokers can undertake to achieve a "motivational" life that is filled with "exciting achievements and exciting people".

 [Related: BOQ calls for health awareness in SME sector]