Australian NDIS provider, Hear For You has launched a social media campaign, titled ‘#undeafeated’, to help young deaf people better connect to mental health services. The campaign will feature a range of social media posts and stories relating to anxiety, how to manage it and how youth can access help.

“The past two years have proven difficult for young people and highlighted the need for mental health services for all. Through this social media campaign, we are creating greater awareness of these services to teenagers, and encouraging them to connect with mental health providers. We want to remove the stigma of accessing professional help, and assist young people to access services they might otherwise not have known about,” says John Lui, National Manager at Hear For You.

While deaf teenagers may deal with feeling different than their peers and anxiety to ‘fit in’, the ‘#undeafeated’ campaign recognises that everyone – whether they have hearing loss or not – will experience difficult emotions at times. The social media assets have been created to educate teenagers about mental health issues and encourage all teens who might be struggling to ask for help. Hear For You has partnered with mental health providers including Kids Helpline, ReachOut and Lifeline for the campaign, which will see teens directed to these resources for further help and additional information.

“Mental health initiatives dedicated to young people are essential to ensuring that teenagers feel heard, understood and aren’t struggling on their own. We want to normalise the conversation and teach young Australians that it is okay to ask for help,” adds John.

Hear For You is an organisation established in 2008 by Olivia Andersen, who decided to use her personal experiences as a deaf person to make a difference in the lives of teenagers across Australia. Hear For You is a one-of-a-kind organisation run by deaf people, for deaf people. Through programs and events, deaf teenagers have the chance to connect with mentors who relate to their lived experiences.

For more information visit, Lifeline, ReachOut and Kids Helpline.

For crisis support, please contact:

Kids Helpline – call 1800 55 1800 or chat online at https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling

Lifeline – call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online at https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

Deaf people can find it difficult to talk on the phone so the National Relay Service is available to assist you. You can learn more here https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/phone/services-people-disability/accesshub/national-relay-service