Reachout.com addressing the unmet mental health

needs of young people globally

San Sebastian 28 July 2008

Presentation Overview

• Youth Mental Health Needs

• Australian Program

• Going Global

Youth Mental Health• High rates of youth mental health issues

– 20-25% experienced mental health disorder

• 75% of troubled youth do not seek help from a mental health professional

• Societal barriers prevent young people from seeking help due to a combination of societal stigma, cultural barriers, mistrust in the system, and limited services.

• Young people are turning to the Internet for help: – 90% are online– 75% are comfortable accessing health information– 25% seek specific information on mental health

Mission: Combine innovative use of technology with the direct involvement of young people to co-create opportunities for millions of young people to live, give and shine- focus on prevention and early intervention with emphasis on wellbeing through social connectedness

Vision: To make a global contribution to young people’s mental health and well-being by 2020.

An Australian Approach

Origin: Direct response to escalating rates of youth suicide in Australia in 1996

Reach Out! model

Improve the mental

health of young people

Increase resilience and coping skills

Increase mental health

literacy

Increase help seeking behavior

Compelling research-based content

Relevant “voice” developed by engaged young people

Engaging multi-technology format with wide reach

Destigmatising mental health via

a youth brand

Informing and supporting via a technology-based

service

Building visible partnerships with youth-

oriented organizations

Normalizing tough times as part of youth experience

Building a brand that young people own

Reduced youth risk behaviors

(depression and suicide)

Tools for MH professionals to incorporate Reach Out! into

clinical care

Curricula to enable Reach Out! to be used in schools

Tools for professionals to improve care of

youth

ROC feedback

 “It's neat - it's fun to be able to experiment with different options to see what might happen, sans consequences.”  Male, 23

“At first you think it is going to be one of the most stupid things out but it really is addictive and fun but most important of all it actually does help you out with real life situations.”  Male, 19

Swinburne University evaluation showed positive contribution to mental health outcomes.

Reach Out! Visitor Numbers

0

500000

1000000

1500000

2000000

2500000

1999-2000

2000-2001

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

GoogleAdwords

And MySpace Partnership

Total Visits to date: 8 million

Now tracking at ~250,000 per month

Youth suicide

rates down 56% since

1997

2007 Online Survey Results

• 83% of young people will return to Reach Out! if going through a tough time

• 84% of young people will recommend Reach Out! to a friend in need

• 79% of health professionals rate the site “very good or excellent”

• 76% “trust” the site

• 75% increase in mental health literacy

Going Global

• Established Inspire USA Foundation 2007– Launch beta version Nov 2008

• Establish Ireland/Europe office end 2007

• Building inspire.org to scale

inspire.org

inspire.org

Australia USA

AsiaIreland/UK

Europe

Consistent research and evaluation to

ensure outcomes

Information sharing to ensure best practice + rapid transfer of

learnings & innovation

A centralized scaleable & tailored technology platform

A unified mission to increase young people’s wellbeing & happiness

- 3 million in 2012- 20 million in 2020

Challenges

• Transforming from Web 1.0 trailblazer– Past success threat to future success

– Stay real and relevant

• Weaving global leadership

• Holding right motivation– Scaling with humility

The Inspire Dream

I am a young person.

I am loved and I love.

There lies before me a land of endless opportunity where I can learn and grow.

There lies within me a limitless ocean of compassion and kindness.

I respect all people - including myself - for who we are.

I celebrate our common humanity and I honour our individual differences.

I show up for life each morning ready for whatever comes my way.

I give my best and know it will make all the difference.

I am making my world a better place.

I am happy.