- Jackie Coates - CEO, Telstra Foundation
In a world where youth mental health challenges are increasing, initiatives like ReachOut’s Laps for Life play a crucial role not only in fundraising but in raising awareness of the issue. So, during March across Telstra we teamed up to dive into this challenge and do both, showing our commitment to the well-being of young Australians but also to ReachOut, one of Telstra’s strategic philanthropic partners.
Wherever We go
Guided by the call to action from our Chief Laps Officer Peggy Renders, we went to the pool and we went hard! Together we raised $90,560* and swam over 600kms. Beyond that, we came together as team to swim laps, share stories, and support each other, creating a real sense of unity and purpose around this serious issue.
Impact Beyond the Pool
All funds raised go to ReachOut Australia’s leading online mental health service. Since launching in 1998, ReachOut has been connecting and supporting young people, and their parent, carer and teacher networks to a range of mental health services that are available when and where they need it. They are the pioneer of an online model of mental health support for young people all over Australia.
ReachOut takes an evidence-based approach to providing 100% online free mental health resources and support for young people across Australia. These resources include one-to-one peer support and moderated online communities, tips, stories and resources that are accessible to anyone in need.
Telstra and the Telstra Foundation have a longstanding relationship with ReachOut from joint convening of the Technology and Wellbeing Roundtable – a long-standing cross-sector forum with over 100 members, from corporate, non-profit, government, and academic sectors to share insights and explore emerging issues – to philanthropic giving through Telstra’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Young people and mental health
More than 1 in 3 young people in Australia are currently experiencing a mental health difficulty. But there’s an even bigger problem: more than 1 million of them are not accessing professional support. And suicide remains the leading cause of death for 16-24 year olds in Australia.
The data is compelling:
- 40% of young people are experiencing mental health difficulties right now.
- 50% of mental illness begins by the age of 14, and 75% begins by age 24.
- 60% of young people aged 18-24 identify cost as a significant barrier to accessing mental health support in 2024
- In 2024, 10,614 children contacted Kids Helpline about suicide, some as young as seven years old.
- Suicide remains the leading cause of death in Australia for 16-24 year olds
Our Australian Youth Digital Index highlighted the need for all of us to focus on young peoples’ wellbeing online and to make help-seeking online easier. Like ReachOut, we share the view that by enhancing connection and using cutting-edge technology, we can improve young people’s access to the information and support they need to feel better sooner.
*Includes Telstra Foundation matching
