ReachOut NextStep: Digital technology delivers new approach to connecting young people with mental health support

10 February 2016

For young people aged 18–25 years, navigating Australia’s fragmented mental health system just became much easier. Launched today, ReachOut NextStep is the latest digital offering to be integrated into leading online mental health service ReachOut.com.

• 1 in 4 young people in Australia experience mental health difficulties.1

• 75% of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25.2

• Timely and appropriate help-seeking is critical, yet 70% of Australians aged 18–25 years don’t seek professional help.

Developed to address the persistently low rates of service access by young people, the new tool makes it easier to navigate the range of available mental health services by recommending customised support options – online and offline – based on a person’s symptoms and how significantly the symptoms are affecting them.

Recommendations range from immediate access to information and tools for self-care such as factsheets, apps and personal stories, to links to online chat or peer-to-peer forums, or referrals to face-to-face and telephone support services. The first Australian tool of its kind to be created specifically for young people, ReachOut NextStep uses a complex algorithm that can respond to thousands of possible combinations based on a young person’s needs and preferences. The tool can be accessed for free from any desktop, tablet or mobile device.

CEO Jonathan Nicholas said ‘At its core, ReachOut NextStep takes a process that can feel overwhelming and makes it easier for young people to navigate by building their skills and providing them with options.

‘Built into the tool are features that tackle many of the barriers to seeking help. This means that young people are in control of the process, can set their pace without feeling pressured and can identify how they’re feeling instead of being expected to know what’s going on. The evidence tells us that each of these factors can impact whether a young person seeks help, and it’s this approach that makes ReachOut NextStep more powerful than a simple online referral tool or service directory.’

Created by ReachOut Australia in partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, ReachOut NextStep draws on the expertise of other leading providers such Butterfly Foundation, headspace and Lifeline. As a white-label product, the tool’s widget can be adapted to exist in other online platforms frequented by young people – potentially opening up its reach to digital environments such as universities, sporting clubs, online retailers and social networking sites.

‘We’ve consulted with other expert service providers to create something we know will work and we’ve engaged more than 600 young people in designing and testing to make sure it’s something that will actually be used.

‘ReachOut has been developing digital mental health tools and support services for nearly 18 years and we see this product as an especially big step forward for young people. It’s very exciting that ReachOut NextStep is up and running and being used by the 110,000 Australians who access ReachOut.com each month.’

To access the tool visit ReachOut.com/NextStep.

More information

• One-pager: About ReachOut NextStep

• Media Release: ReachOut NextStep uses digital technology to deliver a new approach to connect young people with mental health support, 10 February 2016

About ReachOut Australia

ReachOut is Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people, providing practical support to help them get through everything from everyday issues to tough times.

Since 1998, ReachOut has worked alongside young people to deliver online tools that address youth mental health and reduce youth suicide. Available anytime and pretty much anywhere, ReachOut.com is accessed by 110,000 Australians each month. That’s more than 1.31 million people each year.

About ReachOut NextStep

ReachOut NextStep was created by ReachOut Australia in partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre.

References

1. Slade, A. Johnston, M. Teesson, H. White, P. Burgess, J. Pirkis and S. Saw, The Mental Health of Australians 2. Report on the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, 2009.

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.