About ReachOut Parents

What is ReachOut Parents?

ReachOut Parents provides information, tools and resources to help parents and carers support the 12-18 year-olds in their family environment. 

ReachOut Parents is directly affiliated with the primary arm of our organisation, ReachOut, which is aimed at providing youth with resources and support services to help them in times of need.

What resources for parents are available on the ReachOut Parents site?

On ReachOut Parents you will find:

  • fact sheets, stories, practical tips and tools covering a range of topics, issues and experiences that are relevant to teenagers aged 12-18 years

  • the ReachOut forum – an online community where you can talk to other parents about your experiences and work through your concerns in a safe, anonymous environment.

  • information on Australian support services for parents and teenagers that can help to support you both when you need it most. 

The aim of ReachOut Parents is to help you:

  • develop and maintain secure and stable relationships with your teenager by learning more about what they might be experiencing or issues they might be going through

  • support your teenager and teach them how to seek help and work through issues independently

  • learn about mental health issues that often have their onset during adolescence, including what to be aware of, and how to get help for your teenager if and when they need it

  • improve the wellbeing and resilience of your whole family.

The information available at ReachOut Parents is evidence-based and underpinned by evaluation and research. ReachOut Parents is not a counselling or crisis service: if you need urgent help or you want to talk to someone immediately, see our emergency contacts page.

Who runs ReachOut Australia’s Parents website?

ReachOut Australia is the organisation behind ReachOut Parents and our flagship service for 14-25 year-olds: ReachOut.com.

We help young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they’re facing. ReachOut provides a safe online place where young people can openly express themselves, explore what’s happening in their lives, connect with people who understand their situation, and find the resources to help them manage their challenges now and in the future. Anonymous, free and 100% online, ReachOut has been designed specifically for – and with – young people.

From one-to-one support from experienced peer workers, to online forums, as well as tips, stories and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to.

ReachOut Parents and ReachOut Schools provide valuable information, resources and advice to help parents, carers and educators to better understand the young people in their lives and to play an active role in their wellbeing.

Are the resources shared on the ReachOut Parents website written by Parents?

Resources shared on ReachOut Parents are created with or by parents and carers. There is also an advisory group set up to review resources to ensure they are relevant, useful, and safe.

How can you support ReachOut Parents and ReachOut Australia?

There are a number of ways that you can support the work that ReachOut and ReachOut Parents do to help Australian young people.

Ways to support ReachOut Australia include:

  • Donate to ReachOut Australia and help ensure that young Australians and their parents can access help through ReachOut.

  • Raise money for ReachOut. Join an event or create your own and then rally your community together while raising funds for ReachOut. We’ll support you all the way with tips, support and will cheer you on as you reach your fundraising goal!

  • Spread the word about ReachOut Parents and ReachOut. Like or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

  • Sign up to the ReachOut newsletter to get our latest news, wellbeing tips, updates and appeals for action in the community. We also send the occasional invite to get involved or opportunities for you to spread the word so that we can reach more young people.

  • Work or volunteer for ReachOut. Want to get involved? Check out current job opportunities or find out about volunteering.

Want to chat with us about a story you’re writing? Head over to media enquiries to get in touch.

How to contact the team at ReachOut Australia

Before getting in touch, please check out our FAQs to see if your question has already been answered.

ReachOut Parents is not a crisis service and does not provide one-on-one support or counselling. If you’re looking for online counselling support, check out our getting help section for more information and relevant services.

If you need urgent help or you want to talk to someone immediately, see our emergency contacts page.

If you would like to learn more or to chat to us, please feel free to contact us.