RYAN LOVIE

FACTS

ReachOut is Australia’s most accessed online mental health service for young people aged 16-25. Since its launch in 1998 it has had over 3.8 million visitors. Australia’s young people guide the development of Reach Out! through an online Youth Advisory Board and Youth Ambassador program.

The Youth Ambassadors help write content, promote the service in their communities and ensure that Reach Out! remains relevant to the changing needs of young people. About 80% of the site’s content is written in conjunction with them.

ReachOut is also backed by some of Australia’s leading experts in mental health promotion and suicide prevention. These experts form the National Advisory Council (NAC) for Reach Out!

In recent times, ReachOut has launched into the market of MySpace, gathering bigger audiences than ever before with the use of the iconic Blog Portal.

As mental health becomes the number one challenge for the future, the Inspire Foundation’s Reach Out! service is working with teachers to deliver innovative web based curriculum resources that equip young people with the knowledge and skills to improve their mental health. These tools are available via the Reach Out! Teachers’ Network. Watch the video to learn more. Youtube video on how Technology can help Education

Reach Out! Youth Programs

Reach Out! Youth Advisory Board

The Reach Out! Youth Advisory Board (ROYAB) has been run for several years and gives young people a chance of having their input to the site. Prospective ROYAB’ers apply online at www.reachout.com.au and are informed at a later date whether they have been accepted to the program. Participants go regularly on to online forums which talk about a range of topics in regards to RO! and how the site can be made a better tool for people who are going through tough times. Participants then attend a workshop in Sydney and discuss topics affecting youth of today and also talk about Reach Out! promotion. After the workshop, ROYAB’ers are given the opportunity to become Reach Out! Youth Ambassadors.

Reach Out! Youth Ambassadors

After completing the initial 6 week mentoring program with a more senior Reach Out! Youth Leader, Youth Ambassadors (YA’s) continue to discuss RO! on online forums (separate to those of the ROYAB’ers), taking into further detailed discussion Promotion of RO!, topics that are/should be on the website and also organising or participating in events, representing Reach Out!. Each year, a YA is required to do at least two things for the bettering of Reach Out. These could include writing factsheets for the website, presenting the ideas of RO! to audiences or promoting it in the public arena. The next step on from being a YA is to become a Reach Out! Youth Leader.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Reach Out Central wins international competition – Inspire Foundation Website
World first online game to improve youth mental health – Inspire Foundation Website