A Cry For Help

The wired generation are turning to the Net to cope with the pressures of everyday life. GIRL takes a look at how online counsellors are going online to reach kids in need.

"I'm a 17 year old girl with bipolar disorder. I am also doing my HSC, so pretty much every stress that exists is in my lap. When things get hard, it is nice to have a little 'escape' place. I can just look at the stories, read articles and realise that there are people who care out there. Then I shoot my anger away in the rocket, send a dream and get on with life. Often, coming to Reach Out has just tipped me over the ledge onto the grassy side and prevented me from taking my life. Thank you."
* 'Sammi', 17 yrs [Not her real name]

Life is tough - just ask anyone under the age of 18. Confronted by pressures from their families, friends and school to succeed at an early age, life can sometimes be so overwhelming that it drives many teens to despair. More and more teenagers are in growing need of emotional aid but, in the absence of traditional support networks, teens are looking for alternatives to seek help.

It should come as no surprise then that this wired generation are turning to the Net to find someone - anyone - who can help them through the tough times. What is surprising, however, is the number of counselling services now opting to go online to reach kids in trouble. Confidential, non-judgemental support is now available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the click of a mouse.

Where traditional counselling relies on physical contact, Internet counselling offers young people anonymity in a supportive environment that is designed to be accessible - and even fun!

For anyone who finds it difficult to discuss their problems with a professional face-to-face, online counselling is a viable alternative which lets them express their thoughts or concerns through email or other forms of Internet communication.

Clinical psychologist Logan Elliot believes that online counselling offers another alternative, to traditional methods.

"Face-to-face, telephone and Internet counselling are different - not better or worse, but different," he stresses.

Elliot runs NetPsych http://www.netpsych.net.au, a website offering clients real-time, confidential and professional counselling online.

Specialising in alcohol-abuse related treatment, Elliot believes that today's young generation is looking in all directions for help - and that includes going online.

"One of the great things about online counselling is that ICQ can be used to provide counselling because it is interactive," he says. "Using ICQ means that discussions are as confidential as in a face-to-face clinic."
ICQ http://www.icq.com is an Internet messaging system that lets people chat to each other in real-time.



Reach Out http://www.reachout.com.au is another service which uses the Internet to help young people deal with their problems in an open and supportive environment.

Developed in response to Australia's alarmingly high rate of youth suicide and attempted suicide, Reach Out provides information, assistance and referrals in a format that appeals to young people. Reach Out makes a difference to the lives of many young Australians - just ask 'Sammi'.

Currently averaging over 2400 users per month, the Reach Out website hosts a Youth Advisory Board which attracts between 50-60 applicants every three months. Half of these applicants are young people who have gone through a tough time and who now want to contribute the project to help others, while the remainder are high achievers who want to help kids going through a rough patch.

Vicki Otto, Marketing Communications Manager for Reach Out, says that "most young people who come to the site are looking for information relating to a tough time that either they or their friends are going through."

Reach Out is also used by teachers, GPs, mental health workers, parents and families of young people who want to better educate themselves in issues facing today's youth.

Although it does not currently offer online counselling in the traditional sense, Reach Out acknowledges that there is an increasing demand for it and that it is one of the most popular requests amongst young people. Since Reach Out was launched in March 1998, it has been the winner of the 1998 and 1999 Australian Internet Award for Best Community and/or Special Interest Site.

Internationally there are also many online counselling services to be found. The Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org.uk is a registered charity, that provides confidential, emotional support to any person who is suicidal or despairing as well as increasing public awareness relating to these serious issues. They operate a 24 hour service that is run by a group of trained volunteers. Emotional support can be provided by using their email system. At present, their email service does not provide an immediate response but they will always endeavour to answer mail within 24 hours. Like traditional counselling services, individual consideration is given to every person who contacts them.

Other online services include the website Teentalk (www.teentalk.com) which acts as a platform for teens to voice their opinions and have a chat to their peers on topics and issues relating to the youth of today. Teenagers, who help and provide support for other teenagers, operate this site.

By going online, young people are getting access to the best kind of care and support that professional therapy can't buy - from each other.

- Annemarie Failla