Adelaide teen app 'saving lives'

Takila checks the Talklife app out on her smartphone. Picture: DYLAN COKER Source: adelaidenow

A FREE smartphone application that allows teenagers, to discuss "taboo" mental health issues like depression, suicide and self-harm is saving lives worldwide, its Adelaide developers say.

The iPhone-based app now needs $80,000-$100,000 in urgent funding for server upgrades and back-end support.

Talklife has about 20,000 users in 120 countries and was created by Century 21 real estate agent Jamie Druitt, 29, about a year and half ago; he has since invested $45,000, including pitching in funds from the sale of his house.

"I went through a pretty messy marriage breakdown after about 7 years... There wasn't anyone really there when I felt I was at the lowest," he said.

"I wanted to create a pathway for people to communicate with a positive peer group community."

Users need to sign in and can choose to seek help or help others. Users then post or respond to messages on the app.

Talklife's online analysis shows the app is popular among 13-17 year olds, majority of them female and in the U.S.

"I am not going to shut it down or back away from it due to funding issues. From what I know, it is saving lives and is a vital support network," he said.

Friends Andrew Montesi, Derek Lingman, Jacob White and Matt Vienello have pitched in with skills and ideas support.

"Some of it will go towards making the platform more secure for users," Mr Montesi said.

"We understand there is a real risk in bringing these people together. We make sure the platform is secure and that people are not being manipulated or bullied," he said.

There are moderators in place but the community largely self-polices the app, Mr Druitt said.

Facebook account sign-ins or external links are not allowed on the app and users can remain anonymous, create a fake identity or post comments as themselves and have "private conversations".

Teen cybersafety researcher and UniSA lecturer Dr Barbara Spears said the idea is promising, but was concerned about the kind of advice provided.

"There seems to be no real support for anyone, other than some random person making a comment, which you would hope would be supportive, but could just as easily be negative."

Web-savvy teenager Takila, 15, is not familiar with Talklife but said it would be popular with teenagers.

"The idea is appealing. I know of friends that would love to use it to simply talk through issues they can't discuss with people they know, but it needs to be safe." she said.

"Some teenagers don't care what information they share, especially when depression and or other issues are involved despite enough awareness about the risks of anonymous chatting or interactions online."

Check www.talklife.com for information.

Help and information is available at www.kidshelp.com.au or www.youthbeyondblue.com and www.cybersmart.gov.au

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