The Land

ReachOut: 24/7 support for teens and families struggling with the drought

ReachOut: 24/7 support for teens and families struggling with the drought
ReachOut: 24/7 support for teens and families struggling with the drought

Advertiser content for ReachOut.

Drought does not just harm our land, it can harm our loved ones, too. That’s why it’s important to know where to turn when times are feeling particularly tough. If you live or work in a rural area affected by drought, it’s likely you or someone you know has felt the stress, worry and uncertainty that these circumstances can sometimes cause. Thankfully, support to help you get through tough times such as these is now just a click away.

As Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents, ReachOut has recently published a digital drought care package, now available to all online. Offering practical support, tools and tips, and featuring real life stories, this easily-accessible resource was launched by ReachOut to help young people cope during times of drought. 

A unique and innovative resource that is available for free at anytime, and pretty much anywhere, ReachOut is accessed by 132,000 people in Australia every month. This is one of the reasons why the organisation’s CEO Ashley de Silva believes it’s particularly helpful to young Australians.

“Our support network is available 24/7, so you can log on at whatever time suits you best. Also, because we are online, there’s no need to travel long distances to access the service,” de Silva said.

Further benefits of utilising a service such as ReachOut include ease of access for people who live in remote communities, and the promise of confidentiality for those who may find it understandably hard to speak up in times of struggle.

“For those living in drought affected areas, it can be hard to get time away from the farm, while other regional residents may need to travel far distances to access services. It can also be scary to talk to someone face-to-face, but at ReachOut young people, and their parents, can remain completely anonymous,” de Silva said.

ReachOut: 24/7 support for teens and families struggling with the drought
ReachOut: 24/7 support for teens and families struggling with the drought

In the modern world the online realm is now where most people turn to in times of need. Not only does online support allow you to remain anonymous, it also allows you the opportunity to access assistance instantly, no matter your location, or the time of day.

For this reason, ReachOut’s digital drought care package not only delivers strong support to those in need, it also provides the kind of support required for the world we live in, services that are easy to navigate, practical, and available always.

“Our digital drought care package provides articles, videos and tips for young people, and their parents, who are living in drought affected areas. The ReachOut website also offers a range of online forums where young people and parents can chat anonymously about their experiences, and receive peer support. For those who prefer to talk not type, we also offer a free telephone coaching service for parents,” de Silva said.

Launching as the world’s first online mental health service more than 20 years ago, ReachOut is committed to creating services that are not only based on the latest evidence, but that are also designed with experts, and young people or their parents. This creative, contemporary and communal approach to care is why ReachOut’s digital self-help tools are trusted, relevant and easy to use.

It is true that drought can sometimes make you feel stressed, worried and uncertain about the future. But with the support of ReachOut’s digital drought care package, seeking help is now only a few clicks away, and it no longer requires an appointment.

For more information, visit ReachOut.