ReachOut Australia

We’re excited to announce that we have been selected as a recipient of the ‘2024 Kindness in Community Fund Grant’, launched by Born This Way Foundation, and made global with support from Cotton On Group and Cotton On Foundation. The Kindness in Community Grant will be supporting ReachOut PeerChat, a safe, anonymous space for young people to get support from a trained peer worker and be heard. Thank you so much to Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On Foundation for supporting us to continue to help support young people feel better. 💜

We know that school and study can contribute to heightened stress and anxiety for young people. That’s why, we’ve teamed up with NSW Education Standards Authority and The Sydney Morning Herald for another year of supporting students wellbeing with the HSC Study Guide. 📚 Our Clinical Lead, Linda Williams shares practical suggestions for students and families that can support young people in the lead up to their HSC exams and beyond school. Read the HSC Study Guide via The Sydney Morning Herald website today: https://lnkd.in/gYNBy35k #YouthMentalHealth #StudyGuide #ExamPreparation #StudentTips

Social media has transformed how we connect with others and the world around us. For many people, it’s an integral part of their everyday lives. Recently, there have been calls from the government and others to restrict social media access for young people. Yesterday, our Director of Service, Jackie Hallan, alongside Georgie Harman from Beyond Blue and Sam Harvey from Black Dog Institute, discussed these critical issues in a briefing. As three of Australia’s leading mental health organisations, we believe there are other more impactful and effective solutions. While social media can significantly impact mental health and wellbeing, bans fail to address the fundamental safety issues within these platforms, and could have significant unintended consequences. Rather than banning social media, we should listen to young people and focus on making it a safer and more positive experience for users. We’re calling for evidence-based solutions that work, not ones that are easily side-stepped. To read more about our position, head here 👉 https://lnkd.in/etDtK4_b

We know social media plays a huge role in young people's lives, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Together with Beyond Blue and Black Dog Institute, we looked into its impact, what young people think about the possible ban and what some more effective and impactful solutions might be. Swipe across to read some of these findings and to read the full report head to the link here: https://lnkd.in/gJFs-SpW #SocialMediaSafety #YouthMentalHealth #SocialMediaBan #MentalHealthSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #YouthSupport

ReachOut is thrilled to share our brand new charity livestream event - ReachOut, Level Up! 🎮👏💜 This week-long fundraising event that will be held 25-31 August, promoting safe conversations around mental health and encouraging the gaming community to reach out when you need support. Donations will go directly to supporting ReachOut’s work in supporting young people when life doesn’t go as planned. Are you a streamer, gamer or content creator? We would love to have you on board! Register your fundraiser and stream to save lives this August here: https://lnkd.in/gNhRK85d If you are a partner, brand or organisation who would like to support the event, reach out to the team. 💬 #ReachOutLevelUp #LevelUp #StreamToSaveLives #ReachOut

Our team had an amazing time a NAIDOC in the City this week. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello! NAIDOC Week might be coming to a close, however the learnings and reflections must continue. NAIDOC Week is about acknowledging and celebrating the rich and diverse histories and cultures of First Nations people in Australia. It’s important that we continue this recognition on our journey towards equality and reconciliation.  🖤💛❤️ #NAIDOCWeek2024 #KeepTheFireBurning #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe

Calling all First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Experts! 📣 We’re seeking a dedicated First Nations social and emotional wellbeing consultant to join our team. In this role, you’ll make meaningful contributions at both a clinical and cultural level, uplifting our services to better meet the social and emotional wellbeing needs of First Nations young people. If you’re a mental health professional with experience working with young people, we want to hear from you! To learn more and apply head here  👉 https://lnkd.in/g2z_chcj

We’re looking for diverse voices to join our Parents and Carers Advisory Group. If selected for PCAG, you'll review content such as articles, videos, quizzes and infographics, and receive digital gift cards for your feedback. We welcome applications from caregivers and community members of diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, speakers of languages other than English, those from rural or remote areas, and single parents. Submit your interest via the link here: https://lnkd.in/g3WZ27-c *Applications close 31 July 2024* For more information, contact us at [email protected].

This week, NAIDOC Week is being celebrated across the country! 🖤💛❤️ NAIDOC Week is all about recognising and honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, achievements and history. It’s an opportunity for all Australians to learn more and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on Earth.  This year’s theme is 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud' 🔥 It acknowledges the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations cultures, calls for a renewed commitment to justice and equality and unapologetically celebrates Indigenous identity! Keen to celebrate? Check out our tips! https://lnkd.in/gH_-dX7V #NAIDOCWeek2024 #KeepTheFireBurning #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe . Artwork by Jasmine Sarin, a proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja artist. 

Yesterday, we were honoured to be joined by Brendan from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council for a Welcome to Country and a traditional Smoking Ceremony at our Pyrmont office on Gadigal land. It was humbling to hear Brendan’s personal connection to country and to be reminded of the true meaning and history behind a Welcome to Country. Traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremonies have been practised for thousands of years and serve to clear spaces and cleanse people. This ceremony marked the start of a new chapter at ReachOut as we welcomed our new CEO Gary Groves and launched our new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. It cleared the way forward as we embark on this exciting new phase in ReachOut’s journey. Afterwards, we heard from one of our Youth Ambassadors, Azhaan, who spoke about his lived experience of mental health challenges. A big thank you to the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council for joining and sharing their cultural knowledge with us, and thank you Azhaan for bravely sharing his story. 💜