ReachOut Australia

We need boundaries in all our relationships. With our friends, family, romantic partners and our colleagues. But it can be tricky to explain what boundaries are to our teens, especially as they start to gain independence and develop more relationships outside of the home. Therapist Chana Anthony from Flow State Space shares how to simply explain what boundaries are, why they are important, and some examples of what they can look like.

We’ve been in the digital space for more than two decades. We know the Internet can be an incredible place for connection and support, but it can also be pretty overwhelming and sometimes even unsafe. That’s why we welcome the Government’s new public survey on a new Digital Duty of Care. For years, ReachOut has been calling for reforms like this to improve online safety. Just this month our Youth Advocates were in Canberra discussing further reforms, including the need for a digital duty of care. This is a positive step toward strengthening online safety and making sure the digital world is built with young people’s wellbeing front of mind 💜 We look forward to being part of the discussion Anika Wells Have your say, here: https://lnkd.in/g4gMsSkx

With social media age restrictions just around the corner, many young people and families are already thinking about what’s next. Some might be relieved, while others might feel overwhelmed or uncertain. No matter how you feel, this is going to be a big shift.  We’ve launched new resources to help young people, families and schools navigate the potential mental health and wellbeing impacts of the upcoming changes. 💜 A new resource for parents and carers: https://lnkd.in/gEsAcnSV   💜 An online hub bringing together relevant resources for young people: https://lnkd.in/gGBbmZEm  💜 A new resource for educators: https://lnkd.in/gY6mMNGH And for the ins and outs of how the restrictions will work, check out the eSafety Commissioner’s hub here: https://lnkd.in/gtn4aE_c

Last week, the ReachOut team travelled to Cairns to meet with young people from DJARRAGUN COLLEGE, part of the Cape York Partnership. We’ve been lucky to work alongside them since 2022, partnering on resources that support the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations young people and their families. This trip was all about listening and learning. Meeting young people in person and hearing their stories firsthand is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. It keeps us connected to young people’s experiences and ensures our work is focused on what matters most. Some of the key themes that came through in our workshops included: 💜 Stress about the future - what might life look like in the years ahead, especially when you consider the current challenges like the cost of living and climate change.   💜 The importance of role models - how important it is to have them, and how important it is to be one for the next generation. A big thank you to the Cape York Partnership and the teachers and students at Djarragun College for making us feel so welcome. We can’t wait to keep working together in the future!

Parents and carers worried about how the upcoming social media restrictions might impact their teens should tune into Digital Nutrition's webinar. Psychologist and friend of ReachOut, Jocelyn Brewer, will share practical strategies to support vulnerable teens and help families navigate the new restrictions with confidence.

Parents and carers play a huge role in supporting the young people in their lives. But it’s not always easy knowing the right approach. We were recently welcomed to the Pinnacle Investment Management Group and Antipodes office to host an intimate session for the team, many of whom are parents and carers. Mindy Bentley Fraser sat down with one of ReachOut’s Parent and Carer Coaches, Kristy Southers, for a fireside chat about: 💜 The key changes for young people as they reach adolescence 💜 How parents can effectively communicate with their teens  💜 How they can play an active role in supporting their teen’s mental health It was wonderful to have such an engaged group with thoughtful questions and insights. We’re excited to continue showcasing the wonderful work and expertise of our coaches to support the parents and carers within our partner organisations!

The ReachOut Youth Advocates just wrapped up a fabulous few days in Canberra! They met with MPs and Senators and the Department of Health to share insights from a new report they’ve been working on about mental health misinformation. The report shines a light on this issue and calls for practical policy changes to ensure young people have access to credible mental health information online. Outside of the meetings, there were catch-ups over ice cream and robust debates about the best kind of chocolate. We’ll be sharing more on the report and what the advocates are calling for very soon, so stay tuned! Zali Steggall OAM MP, Charlotte Walker, Susan Templeman, Leon Rebello MP, Renee Coffey MP, Matt Gregg, Ashvini Ambihaipahar, Alison Penfold Madeleine Doudney April Willis Sina Aghamofid Martin Jung Chase Bautista Georgia Evans

The ReachOut team was recently invited to speak at Boost Juice’s national conference in Melbourne. We spoke to Boost partners and franchisee owners from all across the country about our partnership, and shared tips on how leaders can support young people in the workplace. ReachOut’s Youth Ambassador, Madeleine Doudney shared her lived experience and the impact work has had on her life as a young person. Building on Maddie’s experience, Senior Content Manager, Fiona Tuttlebee shared practical strategies on how we can foster a supportive work environment for young people to thrive in, with clear expectations embedded in deep care. Relationships Manager, Annie Lisle, provided some tips to equip Boost leaders with the tools to check-in with their staff, particularly if they’ve noticed someone having a tough time. The session was a wonderful opportunity to highlight how to champion and empower young people within the workforce, and we can’t thank Boost enough for having us.

Sleep is essential for everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, especially for young people. But getting enough of it can be harder than it sounds. If your teen is having trouble sleeping, check out our tips here: https://lnkd.in/e_HAUKbu #MentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth