Beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO is calling for insurance companies to stop their discrimination against those with mental illness.

Beyondblue will take a stand against the insurance industry’s discriminatory policies from today in a fight for the rights of millions of Australians with a mental illnesses.

Beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO said insurance companies routinely discriminate against people with a mental illness by rejecting their claims and refusing to offer them a range of products including life and travel insurance, and income protection. This is despite the insurance companies have provided no evidence that people who have experienced or who are being treated for depression or anxiety are a higher risk.

Ms Carnell urged everyone who believes they have been discriminated against by insurance companies because of mental illness, to contact Beyondblue to share their story, with a view that Beyondblue will investigate supporting them taking legal action, including a potential class action.