Investing in mental health care
Future Super is investing in mental health care. One of our newest investments has expanded our portfolio to include a cutting-edge mental health-care clinic in Brisbane. The 63-bed Avive Clinic Brisbane has now opened, in part thanks to funding from investors.
Our investment in this facility comes through investing in a fund managed by Barwon Investment Partners. This sits in the group of assets we refer to as alternative investments – they are typically things like private hospitals, infrastructure or solar farms. Think of them as things that might be tricky for the average person to find a way to invest in, because they’re not sold on stock exchanges, but super funds can take advantage of these opportunities.
Alternative investments help to diversify your super because they are, in theory, less impacted by daily market movements the way that investments like shares sold on a stock exchange are.
Nestled in a major healthcare hub just outside Brisbane’s CBD, this brand-new clinic focuses exclusively on mental health, freeing up hospital space nearby and supporting the city with specialist inpatient and outpatient care including adult psychiatry, treatment for food and anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse, as well as recovery programs for childhood trauma, domestic violence and PTSD.
Although it’s built around a heritage building dating back to 1873, this is a state-of-the-art facility. Patient care at the new clinic is enhanced with thoughtful features, including circadian rhythm lighting, a fitness studio, a rooftop garden and electronic tablets for patients to use.
These patient tablets use cloud-based software to support each individual’s needs. Patients can track their progress and treatments in it, and use it to control their environment, from light and temperature to entertainment and meal ordering. This helps put patients in the driver’s seat of their recovery, with holistic support from a team of mental health specialists.
Our investment team identified healthcare property as an area within alternative investments where there are some great long-term opportunities. This is because healthcare expenditure, which is more than 70% funded by the Australian government, is expected to surge along with Australia’s growing, ageing population.
This investment makes up part of the investment mix in Future Super’s Renewables Plus Growth, High Growth and Balanced Impact investment options.
On top of the potential financial benefits, Avive clinic will make a meaningful impact to the Brisbane community. Two in five Australians experience mental health disorders in their lifetime, but less than half receive professional care for it. Investment from Future Super means this new clinic is here to improve these outcomes and support recovery for people across South-East Queensland.
See How We Invest for information about our screening and investment processes. Investments may be held indirectly via an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) or Managed Fund (MF). All information is general in nature and does not take account of your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before deciding whether a particular product is appropriate for you, please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, Target Market Determination and Financial Services Guide available at www.futuresuper.com.au, and consider speaking with a financial adviser.