By Michelle Walker | Operations Manager
One in 5 youth across the country face mental health challenges and struggle to seek help. One out of 5 means YOU might even know a teen who is too afraid to seek help or doesn't know where they can get support. But with your support, we are getting the word out! We now have over 18,500 members on the peer-supported Forums, 162,434 US visitors to ReachOut.com this month, up a whopping 98% from last year, and as of last week had 543,919 followers on our social media!
Recent ReachOut Activities:
This month we started working with Oregon State University to train OSU students, mentors and staff in online safety and community building and engagement. We also received Lithium Technology’s first annual charitable gift of $20K in June and have just finished 3.5 years working with the California Mental Health Authority on reducing mental health stigma in the state of California.
ReachOut story: Alyssa
Finding counseling helped Alyssa (22) through one of the hardest times in her life. As a ReachOut Peer Supporter, she makes sure others can say the same.
In my first year of college, I went through a really bad break up. I isolated myself from my friends, constantly called in sick at work, and hid from my parents in my room. It was difficult to reach out for support because I didn’t want any; I felt like talking about it wasn’t going to help me.
One day after class, a teacher reached out to me and told me about the counseling services on campus, where I eventually received help. My experience receiving help influences my work as a peer supporter because I think it is very important for people to be informed about the resources and services in their community. If I had never found out about the counseling services at my school, I don’t know who I would have turned to because I was afraid of being judged.
My experience has also taught me the importance of peer support. People should feel strong and safe talking about their issues and ReachOut does just that. If someone does not feel comfortable reaching out to family, friends, coworkers, or even classmates, the ReachOut Forums provides a space to get support from peers without feeling judged.
Spotlight on a video:
Asking for help can be scary, but it can make a difference: http://us.reachout.com/wecanhelpus/play/cotton.
Thank you again for your HELP and your support! If you want to help get the word out through social media, you can find us at:
Links:
By Meredith Sires | Communications Manager
By Michelle Walker | Operations Manager
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