Talk Out Loud Australia
Empowering young people to find their voice
About Us
Talk Out Loud is a South Australian based not for profit offering innovative mental wellbeing programs to develop resilience, positive life choices and social connections for youth and young adults. We use an ongoing non-clinical peer mentoring approach in a safe and inclusive environment.
Since 2016 our member base has grown to over 300 young people and their families, we have assisted over 1,000 youth on camps and retreats and reached over 4,000 students in our school presentations. Just over 70 people per week or 300 per month use our facilities for a diverse range of workshops and activities. Walk-ins have have also doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The majority of the young people who contact us share lived experience with suicide grief, have/currently struggling with a mental health condition or disengaged from mainstream education. We provide the means to support them in finding the right path to healing and recovery; this includes our database of partnerships with private health professionals, our connections within the Suicide Prevention Networks of SA, Wesley Mission and Suicide Prevention Australia, of which we are members, in addition to organisations such as APM Disability and Employment Services and the BeConnect Digital Devices program, as we venture into providing training opportunities not only for young people but for people over 50 years of age.
Our Vision
To support and build the emotional resilience of disengaged young people experiencing mental ill health by creating a safe and inclusive environment.
Our Mission
Our mission is to equip young people with the necessary tools to maintain a healthy mental, physical & emotional lifestyle using an ongoing non-clinical positive mindset approach to encourage engagement and social connection.
Our Values
The following values form the basis of all we hold true at Talk Out Loud:
Hope - believing that recovery is possible for every individual
Respect - valuing differences, seeing the whole person and not just the diagnosis
Inclusion - understanding that everyone has a right to participate fully in society
Choice - responding to the individual needs of each person who seeks our services
Empowerment - focusing on people’s strengths and potential, encouraging autonomy and responsibility
Our History
Having experienced the devastating effects of the suicide of her teenage brother during her honeymoon just over thirty years ago, Mary Galouzis (CEO & Founder of Talk Out Loud) vowed to create a space for young people where they would feel safe and connected and where they would have the courage to find their voice and share their story. While it has taken many years for the dream to become a reality, there is no time limit to saving lives.
Mary has taught in a variety of roles in several secondary schools in South Australia over the past thirty years, specialising in Languages and The Arts. Early in her teaching career, it became apparent that the education system was failing our disengaged students. With a number of former students, Mary set about planning the first of many youth empowerment camps, which have since become their most effective program in combatting isolation and disconnection and instilling a sense of belonging and purpose for many young attendees. Talk Out Loud became a charity in 2016 and is now comfortably located in premises in Ridgehaven where members can drop-in anytime or make an appointment if they need to see someone in particular or take part in an activity.
What we do...
Empowering young people to find their voice
Talk Out Loud works tirelessly to provide quality, long-term solutions for a number of pressing issues affecting our community. Our most significant causes are those that are often brushed aside by most. We would love for you to become part of that change today; a change that will assist young people to feel safe, heard and included at all times.
These objectives are achieved through:
Exciting winter and summer camps
1:1 non-clinical therapies
Secondary school retreats/workshops
Interstate & international volunteer experiences
Professional Development workshops
Working collaboratively with locally recognised mental health agencies
Engaging in a diverse range of community projects
Opportunities for young people to connect socially with each other after
Since 2016 our member base has grown to over 300 young people and their families, we have assisted over 1,000 youth on camps and retreats and reached over 4,000 students in our school presentations. Just over 70 people per week or 300 per month use our facilities for a diverse range of workshops and activities.
Please check out the links below for more information.
School Programs
"Early intervention is the key"
We are always striving to make a difference. Our School Programs aim to give young people positive and effective strategies to find their voice.
Youth Empowerment Camps
"We are in this together"
Weekend camps that empower youth to make their own choices and Talk Out Loud about the things that matter to them.
TOL Talks
"Share your Story"
Encouraging young people to become more confident by providing a safe space for people to share their story.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”
Margaret Mead
Upcoming Events
- Fri, 08 OctKilkenny
Mon, 02 DecTalk Out Loud Australia02 Dec 2019, 7:00 pm – 03 Dec 2019, 1:35 pmTalk Out Loud Australia, Ridgehaven 5097FOR ALL AGES - Come along to our regular Meditation evening where you will discover the benefits of meditation for your mental health.You will be taken on a guided meditation incorporating mindfulness relaxation and positive affirmation. These meditations are designed to help you retrain your brain!
Fri, 29 NovArbury Park Road29 Nov 2019, 6:00 pm – 01 Dec 2019, 3:00 pmArbury Park Road, Arbury Park Rd, Bridgewater SA 5155, AustraliaAre you between the ages of 17-30 years old and looking for something new to do? We have a weekend camp coming up that focuses on empowering young people to make their own choices and Talk Out Loud about the things that matter to them. For more information, please send an email. Don't Miss Out!