Brighter Super extends partnership with MATES in Energy to support mental health and suicide prevention

11 September 2025

Brighter Super has extended its longstanding partnership with MATES in Energy to support suicide prevention, mental health and financial wellbeing in the energy sector as part of its promise to Queenslanders to be ‘right by your side’.

As part of the agreement, Brighter Super and MATES will co-host a series of onsite morning tea and lunchtime events at major Government Owned Corporations (GOCs) in the energy sector, including Energy Queensland (EQL), Powerlink, CS Energy and Stanwell.

The events will highlight the critical work MATES does in raising awareness and preventing suicide in energy workplaces.

Brighter Super, through its heritage fund Energy Super, has had a long association with MATES in Energy and is pleased to extend its partnership.

MATES is a charity created by the construction industry in 2008 to reduce the high level of suicide among construction workers. It has since been expanded to other industries including the energy industry in 2016.

In 2021, the World Health Organisation endorsed MATES as a global example of best practice in workplace suicide prevention.

As part of its renewed agreement with MATES, Brighter Super will deliver presentations at MATES professional development days on how superannuation works and its role in supporting employees facing financial hardship.

The presentations will also emphasise the importance of insurance offerings such as Death, Total and Permanent Disability (TPD), and Income Protection (IP) in times of financial and personal hardship.

As part of the partnership, Brighter Super will encourage frontline staff to participate in MATES’ General Awareness Training (GAT) and Connector training sessions, equipping them to support callers facing extreme stress or distress.

Brighter Super Chief Member Officer Lisa Kay said many people had struggled during the cost-of-living crisis and there was a strong link between financial security and mental health.

“Arming members with the information and services they need to be financially fit – as well as providing mental health support when they need it – helps build real resilience in the energy community.’’

“MATES in Energy provides a critical service, particularly during times like these, and it’s no exaggeration to say that their work saves lives,” she said.

Ms Kay said it was critical contact staff were trained to deal with members facing difficult times or a personal crisis.

“Our contact centre team members can be some of the first people our members talk to during stressful, life-changing moments like illness, injury, relationship breakdowns or job changes,” she said.

“Our people are trained to help them recognise mental health risks and warning signs and refer members to MATES in Energy when they may need more support. Our staff are also trained to recognise and act on mental health risks to support their colleagues.”

MATES in Mining, Energy and Manufacturing General Manager Trent Bazley said MATES in Energy is an industry-based charity that simply cannot operate without companies getting behind them financially. 

“Brighter Super’s continual support through their partnership allows us to deliver awareness and capacity building sessions to the energy sector. Furthermore, Brighter’s contribution allows us to support those workers who are doing it tough and make connection through our 24/7 helpline.”

“The partnership goes beyond financial support, as it affirms industry stakeholders like Brighter promoting the Mates Mission. MATES in Energy is extremely grateful for the support and the relationship with Brighter Super, and we applaud their effort to get behind us.” said Mr Bazley.