Innovation details
Approximately 75% of mental disorders have their onset prior to age 25, emphasizing the importance of targeting prevention and early intervention efforts at young people. Despite the high prevalence of mental health disorders among this age group, 80% of young men and 70% of young women experiencing psychological distress do not seek professional support.
The primary focus of ReachOut.com is prevention and early-intervention of high-prevalence mental health disorders through delivery of a youth mental health service in a safe and anonymous online environment.
ReachOut.com is an online youth mental health service targeted at young people aged 14 – 25 years. The use of youth-friendly fact sheets, real-life stories, an online peer-support community and self-help apps and tools enables ReachOut.com to support over 1.4 million young Australians each year – through direct provision of information and support, or onward referral pathways to clinical services where appropriate.
By providing the service online the innovation is able to reach young people, a group of individuals unlikely to access traditional services due to stigma, lack of confidence in clinical services or geographical isolation.
Our strong youth involvement program enables the service to be designed and delivered by young people themselves and ensures it remains engaging, relevant and high-impact.
Comments
Didn't know about this