Reach Out Round

In 2022, Round 7 of the WNBL Season will host a “Reach Out” Round across all games taking place in the week commencing 10 January.

This round aims to shine a light on mental health and encourage people to reach out in times of need. It also serves as a friendly reminder to check in regularly with your loved ones. It’s okay to not be okay and it’s okay to reach out for help.

Our goal is to support the movement of amazing organisations that are working hard behind the scenes to normalise the discussion on mental health. There is an incredible array of support services that exist in our community, and they are all here to help. The first step is Reaching Out.

We are thrilled to share that this round is proudly supported by Beyond Blue, Headspace Ballarat, Kids Helpline, Lifeline & ReachOut.

You can read more on each of these organisations below and how to access their services.

 

Supporting Organisations

Beyond Blue has been providing support and services to people in Australia for over 20 years. They are one of Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisations, focused on supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.

The generational defining events of 2020 and 2021 have required Beyond Blue to be innovative and agile in responding to the needs of the communities they serve. Beyond Blue works with the community to improve mental health and prevent suicide, so that all people in Australia can achieve their best possible mental health.

Calls to Beyond Blue’s support services are 38 per cent higher this year-to-date, compared to the same period in 2019. Since March 2020, Beyond Blue support services have helped 565,000 contacts, and Beyond Blue websites have reached more than 11.4 million people (as of December ’21).

PHONE: 1300 22 4636


headspace Ballarat is a youth friendly, community-based health and wellbeing service for young people aged 12-25 and their families. It is a place where young people can receive help for physical health needs, education & employment, mental health support and alcohol & other drug issues. All services are provided free of charge. The support offered builds the resilience and future potential of young people, by delivering effective and innovative services in partnership with the local community.

The staff are passionate, engaging and committed to providing high quality youth focused care to the young people of Ballarat.

headspace Ballarat is supported by a Consortium which includes Ballarat Health Services, Uniting, CatholicCare, CAFS, BADAC and is led by Ballarat Community Health.


Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available via WebChat, phone or email anytime and for any reason.

No matter the problem/issue, big or small, Kids Helpline is there for young people. They can access self-help information across many topics in the form of infographics; tip sheets; strategies on how to deal with the issues they are facing or the feelings they are experiencing; videos; and even fun activities at kidshelpline.com.au. And if they want to just chat, they don’t have to use their real name.

PHONE: 1800 55 1800


Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service provider with a vision of an Australia free of suicide. They are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Lifeline is committed to empowering Australians to be suicide-safe through connection, compassion and hope.

Lifeline exists to ensure that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone. Their experience has shown us that it is through connection that we can find hope. Lifeline is available 24 hours a day to listen, without judgement to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or longs to be heard.

With more than eight Australians dying by suicide every day and Lifeline receiving a call every 30 seconds, their service is more important than ever.

If you, or someone you know, is in crisis or in need of support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days).

PHONE: 13 11 14


ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information they offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.

They’ve been championing wider access to mental health support since they launched their online service more than 20 years ago. Everything they create is based on the latest evidence and is designed with experts, and young people or their parents. This is why ReachOut’s services are trusted, relevant and so easy to use.

Accessed by more than 2 million people in Australia each year, ReachOut is a free service that’s available anytime and pretty much anywhere.