We are seeking your support to expand Real Talk’s content and resources to include the topics teens most want to learn about, and to reach teens in areas that have the least access to resources on sensitive topics.
*UPDATE: Up to $10K in donations made before #GivingTuesday will be matched, thanks to a few generous donors. Double your impact by donating today!*
How you can help:
$10 brings the Real Talk app - and hundreds of curated stories and resources on sensitive topics - to one teen
$25 curates five stories written by real teens on a new topic
$100 funds one pilot group to measure Real Talk's impact on teens
$250 supports one classroom teacher to utilize Real Talk in their classroom
$500 curates one month of authentic stories written by real teens for the mobile app
$1000 supports one school to integrate Real Talk into their school day to reduce loneliness and increase connectedness school-wide
Real Talk is a mobile app that uses real stories by real teens to convey relevant and credible information about the issues that teens go through growing up. Stories cover topics including healthy relationships, bullying, and online safety.
Even as the world becomes more digitally connected, America's teens feel more alone and isolated than ever. 31% of teens in grades 9-12 have felt so sad or hopeless for at least 2 weeks that they stopped doing normal activities (CDC 2018). Nearly 1 in 6 teens have seriously considered attempting suicide, and rates for both these outcomes are double or more among teens who identify as LGBTQ+.
We worked directly with over 300 teens to create Real Talk, a product that brings information on sensitive, taboo topics like sex ed and mental health to teens in a way that feels authentic and supportive: through stories.
Since launching the Real Talk app in 2017, 10,000 teens in all 50 U.S. states and 80+ countries around the world have downloaded the app and read or shared stories about their experiences navigating sensitive situations deadline with puberty, mental health, bullying, and healthy relationships.
To date, approximately 30% of our users identify as LGBTQ+ and 40% identify as non-White. Our data shows that nearly 70% of teens have learned something new after using Real Talk, 65% report the stories they read are helpful, and many report that the app has helped them know that they're not alone. Here's what they have to say:
● “I felt that real stories from real teenagers can be more effective in helping than articles made by adults who haven’t lived the experience.”
● “My favorite thing is how you are able to read other peoples experiences with problems or feelings you are dealing with and know that you are not alone.”
● “We can be open and honest with no judgement”
Learn more at www.myhealthed.org or check out Real Talk in the iOS app store.
