Inspire was established as the result of the vision of its President, John William Heath. Mr. Heath is the founder of The Inspire Foundation, an Australian nonprofit organization (“Inspire Australia”), that in 1998 created the Reach Out! website (www.reachout.com.au), in response to Australia’s then escalating rates of youth suicide. This award winning online service has been credited with playing a significant role in reducing youth suicide rates in Australia by 46% since 1997.
In 2006, Mr. Heath engaged The Bridgespan Group, a U.S. nonprofit strategy consulting firm, to conduct an independent assessment of the need for a program like Reach Out! in the United States. That study found that, despite the critical mental health needs of many young Americans, there is currently no service comparable to Reach Out! in the United States. Mr. Heath’s vision is to bring the successful Australian Reach Out! service to the United States with appropriate customization to reach the 3 million young Americans who attempt suicide and the 12 million plus young Americans who experience depressive symptoms each year. The service will also provide valuable assistance to the 29 million family members and friends who are the main source of support and advice to young people going through troubled times.
