inspire - jack heath
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Reach Out - addressing the unmet mental health needs of young people globallyTRANSCRIPT
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.