ReachOut launches Reconciliation Action Plan

04 December 2018

ReachOut’s new RAP represents the next phase of the organisation’s work in reducing the substantial mental health inequalities that exist between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians. This will include a focus on building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons between 15 and 34 years of age, with rates more than three times those of non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.*

The RAP will enable ReachOut to better understand the mental health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to expand its service to ensure that all Australians are able to find the support they need.

Ashley de Silva, CEO of ReachOut said that the new RAP formed an important element of ReachOut’s vision to ensure all young people in Australia are happy and well.

“There are stark differences in the wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons and other young Australians.

“ReachOut’s new ‘Innovate’ RAP is a framework for us as a frontline youth mental health organisation to provide increasingly inclusive and relevant support for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their parents and caregivers.

“Our work informed by the RAP will include strategies to help us reach young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their families earlier in their journey for help and information by pushing out into different spaces and places where they are spending time,” he said.

ReachOut’s vision for reconciliation is for an inclusive, compassionate and cohesive Australia, that truly embraces and is proud of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

*Statistic from Australian Bureau of Statistics.

About ReachOut

ReachOut has been changing the way people access help since launching as the world’s first online mental health service over 20 years ago. Everything they create is based on the latest evidence and designed with experts, and young people or their parents. This is why ReachOut’s digital self-help tools are trusted, relevant and easy to use.

Available for free anytime and pretty much anywhere, ReachOut is accessed by 132,000 people in Australia every month. That’s more than 1.58 million each year.