Online service ReachOut.com critical for distressed LGBTQI young people

13 February 2014

Research reveals that ReachOut.com provides lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning and intersex (LGBTQI) young people experiencing high psychological distress a safe place to turn at anytime when they need help.

The special report, titled ‘Whenever I Need It’, shows that as many as 20,000 LGBTQI young people visit ReachOut.com anonymously every month, with 65 percent of them saying they’re going through a tough time and looking for help.

 “As a 24/7 online service, LGBTQI young people can turn to ReachOut.com for help at any time, completely anonymously, and get information and support for their mental health issues,” says Jono Nicholas, CEO of ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation.

Australia’s leading online youth mental health service, ReachOut.com has the ability to reach every young Australian experiencing a mental health difficulty. With over 1.4 million visitors each year, ReachOut.com delivers practical tools that young people can use to deal with everyday life.

Crucially, the report shows that 89 percent of LGBTQI young people say that ReachOut.com gives them the information they needed, and 85 percent say the service helps them to understand others’ experience with the issue they’re dealing with.

“For young people questioning their sexuality who feel uncomfortable talking to someone in person, watching a video about another young person’s experience or telling their story on the ReachOut.com forums can be exactly what they need,” says Jono.

“It has info that I can read and know I am not crazy and that other people have gone through similar things,” said a 20-year-old respondent questioning her sexuality.

The research identified that 86 percent of LGBTQI young people who access ReachOut.com are experiencing high levels of psychological distress.

“When a young person’s mental health is at a crisis point, ReachOut.com is designed to help them recognise this and get them the additional help and support they need,” says Jono. “It’s a great success for the service that 30 to 40 percent of LGBTQI young people are more likely to see a doctor or mental health professional after visiting ReachOut.com.”

“[ReachOut.com] teaches me that being gay is okay,” said a 14-year-old boy looking for information on how to come out to a homophobic parent.

Information on mental health issues (depression and anxiety) is the most popular topic sought by LGBTQI young people on ReachOut.com, followed by information on self-harm, sexuality and suicide.

As a show of support for LGBTQI young people, ReachOut.com is taking part in Sydney’s Mardi Gras Festival for the first time. Leading with the theme ‘Always Turned On’, presences at events including Fair Day, Queer Thinking, Mardi Gras Parade, and sponsorship of the Mardi Gras Film Festival will raise awareness among LGBTQI young people that ReachOut.com is always available when they need help.

ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation has worked in close partnerships with specialist LGBTI health services to support same sex attracted and questioning young people accessing ReachOut.com over the past decade.Download the full research report from inspire.org.au - Whenever I Need It: Special report on the help provided to LGBTQI young people who access ReachOut.com 

About ReachOut.com

ReachOut.com is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service. Designed to help young people under 25 tackle everything from finding motivation to getting through really tough times, the service provides practical tools, forums and information in a safe and anonymous online environment.

ReachOut.com is the help young people need, where and when they need it.

Available for interview

• Jonathan Nicholas, CEO, ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation

• Atari Metcalf, Evaluation Manager, ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation

Links and resources

• Report: "Whenever I Need It": Special report on the help provided to LGBTQI young people who access ReachOut.com

• Media Pack (including the report, media release, key stats, infographic and respondent quotes)

• About ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation

• About Jono Nicholas

• Visit ReachOut.com