Help reduce US youth suicide

Reaching Out @ Mental Health Matters Day

The sea of lime green ribbons sprawled in front of the state capitol was just one feature designed to make Mental Health Matters Day stand out. The bright accessories, worn by the Inspire staff among other leaders,visionaries, and young people in attendance, reflected attendees' collective effort to draw attention to the need for reducing stigma and raising awareness of mental health.

As part of the larger mental health movement supported by the Stigma and Discrimination Reduction campaign run by California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), Inspire was thrilled to participate in the mental health and community-based resource fair that kicked off the day. Along with providing temporary tattoos and materials on the ReachOutHere and Busca Apoyo campaigns, we also hosted a "Sink Stigma" beanbag toss and invited attendees to write encouraging notes to their future selves. ReachOut Peer Supporters and Text Supporters were also on hand to answer questions and share their stories of providing support online and via text message.

"Glee" star Max Adler (pictured here with ReachOut volunteers) and director Bradley Buecker returned to announce the winners of the competition. This year, the contest was extended to University of California students along with high school students across the state. While only four entries received the top prize (see all winners and videos here), all the submissions were impressive for creatively communicating a powerful message around suicide prevention or ending the silence around mental illness.

by Meredith Sires, Web Editor

ReachOut Celebrates Diversity & Community   

Soka University’s International Festival is an exciting annual event where people, nonprofits and businesses all over Orange County come together to celebrate diverse cultures. As a Soka student and Peer Supporter, this year, I volunteered to attend and represent the ReachOutHere campaign.

A brutal heat wave had settled over Aliso Viejo that week, but thankfully my fellow peer supporter Susana arrived with a sturdy canopy, a 38 pack of cool water bottles and some snacks. The provisions refueled our spirits and with newfound energy, we proceeded to reach out by sharing our experiences with ReachOut.com and inviting students to chat and potentially get involved.

Our booth was surrounded by a festive atmosphere generated by the international theme with people in traditional garments, delicious smells wafting from ethnic food stands and foreign tunes in the air.

All this reminded me that these outreach events are more than just publicity projects, they can create a special space for people to take refuge. The smiles that our volunteers give at our booths inspire hope and introduce the spirit of ReachOut.com. Ideally, it will help others smile, lend an ear or give a compliment. As I've learned in the forums, you might not always see the effects of your actions, but rest assured, you are making someone at least a little bit happier.

by Roberto De La Pena, Jr, Peer Supporter

Talking ReachOut TXT @ YTH Live 2014

YTH (Youth + Tech + Health) is a multi-day conference centered around the intersection between health and utilizing the technology most relevant to youth in order to reach them. Topics span from texting and sexual health to blogging about mental health. It's an innovative, modern approach to old problems.

As a ReachOut Text Supporter, I had the privilege of watching ReachOut California Director Nicola Survanshi speak about our program alongside a Planned Parenthood representative, who spoke on a program that allows those with questions or concerns about sexual health to text in and receive answers. The response was incredible, with people in the room asking questions that ranged from our availability outside of text hours to how to launch a similar service in their own community.

After the talk, Will, another ReachOut TXT Supporter, and I fielded questions from those around us, and I was amazed at the support and interest from people asking about the texting service, sharing their own projects, and offering encouragement.

I had to leave early in order to attend my volunteering shift as a text supporter, but I still managed to attend the “By Youth, For Youth” talk, which featured speakers who presented on programs that promoted health among youth. And as I headed to Powell Street, my head buzzed with the information I’d received. 

“There is a community of people who care about health and youth,” I thought. “That’s amazing.” 

by Echo Yupan Lu, ReachOut Text Supporter

Links:

• ReachOut.com
• Inspire USA Foundation, powering ReachOut
• Look at what our Youth Council Member Brandon is doing!

 ReachOut TXT Grows to Two Days A Week!

 With the success and steady growth of ReachOut TXT, and the ongoing support of the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), we have officially added another night of peer-to-peer mobile service! Spread the word: ReachOut TXT is now open every Monday and Tuesday from 4-8pm PT.

Since launching in September 2013, ReachOut TXT has hosted over 300 text conversations with more than 230 young adults in search of support and information from their peers.

TXT Supporters, the trained youth volunteers who man the text line, have quickly become pros at providing quick responses, empathizing with a wide variety of relationship and mental health issues, and helping their peers get through tough times via text. Testimonies from volunteers and texters alike reinforce how rewarding the experience has been on both sides of the phone: 

"I feel like the people who have texted us have had positive experiences and have left feeling better and more empowered to make healthier decisions. It feels good to know you’ve helped someone who might not get help from anywhere else.” - TXT Supporter 

“Thank you for your help. It’s been nice talking to someone who could actually help :)” – Anonymous

“I’m glad there’s programs out there that are there for others when they feel like they can’t go to anyone else. Keep up the great work and thank you again.” – Anonymous

With one more day of service, we look forward to making an even bigger impact by connecting with more young people in need.

Help make a difference! Spread the word: If you know a young person looking for information, support, or just a good chat with a peer, encourage them to text "REACHOUT" to 877-877 on Mondays and Tuesdays between 4-8 p.m. PST.

by Michael Young, Youth Coordinator

Inspire Tackles 'Taboo Topics' @ SXSWi

Next month, Inspire USA Foundation, who powers ReachOut.com, is thrilled to be returning to the nexus of innovation and collaboration as a panelist at the annual South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) Festival in Austin from March 7-11.

Emily O’Brien, Director of Youth Engagement, will be participating on the "Taboo Topics Online Social Campaigns with Privacy" panel along with other prosocial youth engagement experts from the Ad Council, Do Something, Crisis Text Line, and To Write Love on Her Arms. Together, the panel will address best practices for leveraging the anonymity of the Internet to offer support without raising privacy concerns.

Emily will also preview the exciting and innovative work of the ReachOut Forums and ReachOut TXT program, funded by California counties through the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63). Attendees will learn how these programs have effectively engaged young Californians in a positive, anonymous dialogue about mental health and perceived taboo topics, while also providing evidence based health promotion information, peer support, and access to crisis services.

by Meredith Sires, Web Editor

Get 'Inspired' @ Tools For Change & YTH Live

Mark your calendars! This spring, Inspire USA will be presenting at two important conferences in California to share our insights around connecting mobile and online technologies with peer support to better meet youth where they are. Here are short descriptions to help you catch us in action:

'Online and Mobile Outreach Methods' @ MHASF Tools for Change: Inspire will appear at the first international conference focused on lived experience and culture change around mental health and mental illness to discuss our online and mobile engagement strategies to reduce stigma and support youth.
March 7-8, 2013

'Two-Way Texting' @ YTH Live: Nicola Survanshi, Director of ReachOut California, will present on ReachOut TXT, our new mobile text messaging program designed to provide timely responses of mental health support and information to teens and young adults directly to their phones.
April 6-8, 2014

by Meredith Sires, Web Editor 

For updated information on where to find Inspire, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up for our newsletter here.