Reachout.com aims to address unmet mental health needs among young people globally by expanding an existing Australian program. The program uses innovative technology and involvement of young people to promote prevention and early intervention. It provides research-based mental health content in an engaging format to help young people build resilience and increase help-seeking behavior. Since launching in Australia in 1997, the program has seen youth suicide rates drop 56% and plans to expand globally to reach millions of young people by 2020.

1. Reachout.com addressing the unmet mental health needs of young people globally San Sebastian 28 July 2008

4. An Australian Approach 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. Origin: Direct response to escalating rates of youth suicide in Australia in 1996

5. 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

11. Reach Out! Visitor Numbers Google Adwords And MySpace Partnership Total Visits to date: 8 million Now tracking at ~250,000 per month Youth suicide rates down 56% since 1997