Translating research into practice: SuperFriend

SuperFriend, a not-for-profit organisation, has a vision for all Australian workplaces to be mentally healthy.

To improve mental health and wellbeing in workplaces and address the broad social and economic effects of mental ill-health and suicide across Australian workplaces, SuperFriend:

• conducts and publish national research and advocate for systems level change
• increases mental health awareness through practical education and resources.

SuperFriend works with, and is funded by, Group Life Insurers and Profit-to-member Superannuation Funds for whom the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace include; more supported members, increased staff retention and increased engagement, wellbeing, productivity and profitability. SuperFriend originally worked with these partners to co-design solutions for their unique needs.

Today, SuperFriend's purpose is still the same, but the organisation works with several additional industries, associations and organisations - either referred by its Funding Partners or those that have approached SuperFriend directly.

SuperFriend's core focus continues to be its research, with an aim to translate its research into real life policy and implement it into practice, so that the lives of Australian workers are improved.

“We continue to advocate for practical and lasting systems change in Australian workplaces, by working collaboratively across the mental health sector and with our Partners and stakeholders...Our established and trusted research provides organisations with a unique longitudinal view with rich insights into the state of Australia’s workplace mental health. We are excited for the future of this important research and to continue its evolution.” says Darren Black, SuperFriend Chief Executive Officer