In my previous post I spoke about my interview with Steven Wilson from YSAS. He told me that i should look into other youth services and their websites to get an idea of people who support/donate to them.
I liked the idea and i knew i would get some sort of idea of who supports and donates a youth service. But thinking about Kimberley’s assignment I really need to know who supports ReachOut, not gather my information from another service. (more…)
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The Medical Journal Of Australia explains ReachOut’s unique web based service and the Youth of Australia seeking online mental help is very appealing.
[Seventy-five per cent of mental illness begins before 25 years of age, with one in five young people (children and adolescents) diagnosed with a mental health problem. Yet, Australian data indicate that only 29% of those affected contact a professional service of any type. Given the poor prognosis for adolescents and adults with untreated psychiatric symptoms, these low rates of access and treatment are particularly disturbing.
The Internet is increasingly becoming a support of choice for young people, with research demonstrating that young people actively seek health information and referrals through the Internet and online discussion groups, including accessing sensitive information on AIDS, birth control and mental health issues.]
The journal is would be useful for Lissa’s Case Studies as it gives specific statistics on internet use and answers questions like ‘Why use the Internet as a tool for service delivery to young people?’
I found this related article on the Inspire Foundation website
Internet role in youth mental health endorsed- Inspire Foundation Website
New News – Article – Wednesday, May 24th, 2006
[Pacific Fair’s Discover a Supermodel Search, recognises that there is more to a successful career on the catwalk, or even workplace than a pretty face.
Supporting the premise that beauty and confidence runs more than skin deep; this unique event differs from many other model searches as it also helps to develop the inner confidence, motivation and self-esteem of its participants.
...This year Pacific Fair’s model search will raise money for ReachOut, with all funds from registration fees going directly towards the charity so that the participants can help other young people, whilst having fun and learning more about themselves.]
This article is a good insight in the social impact ReachOut aims to have as a service. Their main purpose in this Charity event is to target young females helping them develop their ‘inner confidence, motivation and self-esteem’ as well offering them to have fun and learn more about themselves.
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Article – Crikey – Thursday, 24 January 2008
[T-shirts in Jay Jays’ ‘little loser’ range are branded with tasteful messages like ‘Miss Bitch,’ ‘Mr Well Hung,’ ‘Ms Wasted’ and ‘Mr Pimp’, with pictures that mimic a children’s book series.
What hasn’t yet been reported is the self-evident clash in values between Jay Jays’ ‘little losers’ and the organisation it sponsors, ReachOut , which provides a help line and website to help kids and young teens dealing with issues such as mental health and body image issues, s-x, drugs, alcohol and abuse.
Alongside the online catalogue displaying the ‘little loser’ clothes and accessories, the Jay Jays website has a special section dedicated to ReachOut, noting that “Jay Jays has joined forces with ReachOut to bring you info and tips on feeling good about life and staying positive.” Just how a t-shirt called ‘Miss Floozy’ promotes this message is something only a spinner could tell us. Though even they would have their work cut out for them with slogans like “If I’m not wasted, the day is” and “Party ‘til you puke”. It’s almost as if Jay Jays have taken every one of ReachOut’s values and twisted them.
When Crikey contacted ReachOut about the ‘little loser’ range, spokesman Bruce Walmsley said that although the organisation “does not endorse the messages on the ‘little losers’ branded range of tee-shirts … we’ve been very happy with the response from Jay Jays to our concerns.” When asked to define what this “response” was, ReachOut declined to answer.]
I found this article really interesting, as i have seen the shirts myself and think their funny. But as a target to the young generation Jay Jays are innocently just following a trend and i believe had no intention to contradict with their support to ReachOut. The way ReachOut went by sorting this mess out as service seems very wrong the fact they don’t “endorse the messages on the ‘little losers’ branded range of tee-shirts” isn’t really showing that they stand by their purpose as a Youth Service.
Filed under: ReachOut
Article – The Age October 29, 2007
This Article from the age is really in-depth about how we seek for help over the internet can mislead us. It’s true, false information is everywhere over the internet. Wikipedia is a perfect example, anybody can edit or change wikipedia’s information making it truly unreliable as a source or reference.
In regarding to ReachOut being a web based service, a lot of interesting things are said by Jonathan Nicholas, the director of programs for the Inspire Foundation, which runs the youth help service ReachOut. he states that:
["We recognised young men didn’t access mental health groups or websites much,” says the program director, Jonathan Nicholas. He hopes this game will allow them to look at a serious issue in an entertaining way.] (more…)
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100 KahDo Smart cars hit the streets in Sydney and Melbourne to spread the word about ReachOut’s new interactive feature, ReachOut Central, which allows young people to ‘test drive’ real life situations and learn how certain decisions can affect their mood and wellbeing.
Since its launch in November 2005, thousands of young people have used ReachOut Central, many of whom had never visited the ReachOut site before.
Related Article 3
National Youth Week Website Competition
National Youth Week has located on their ‘Win Free Stuff’ part of their website a competition on from ReachOut has one online JB HiFi voucher valued at $100 up for grabs.
You just have to tell them in 25 words or less, your tips on how to relax and keep stress levels in check?
Filed under: ReachOut
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. (more…)
When I was researching about Community Services in Week 1 I came across this.
Its an Interesting article about Youth Drug Abuse programs failing. The article states that the Youth Drug Abuse programs ‘…were most lacking was the initial assessment of each teenager’s particular treatment needs.’ It also says despite the fact that the programs that they surveyed were designed for youth audience and are well regarded by exsperts in substance abuse treatment. (more…)
Reach Out! is a web-based service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times.
The aim of the service is to improve young people’s mental health and well being by providing support information and referrals in a format that appeals to young people.
Reach Out! is an initiative of the Inspire Foundation (www.inspire.org.au). The mission of the Inspire Foundation is to create opportunities for young people aged 16-25 to change their world. This could be struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, wanting to do something for their local community or simply experiencing new ways to learn and grow.
