Love Island After Party star and impassioned advocate for unconditional self-love in the face of digital toxicity, Abbie Chatfield, has joined Australian youth mental health charity REELise, as Ambassador.
Formed in 2013, in response to the impacts of cyberbullying, REELise programs focus on the power of personal stories and digital media to create social good.
Each year the REELise Film Festival screens films created by young people on smart devices about navigating digital life to broaden awareness and drive positive change online.
Abbie has pivoted her reality TV appearances on The Bachelor, Bachelor in Paradise and I’m a Celebrity…. Get me Out of Here to a social media success story, sharing candid narratives about health, self-compassion, feminism and online trolling and abuse.
As host of Love Island After Party and the podcast It’s a Lot, Abbie has shown a natural talent for connecting with her audience and delivering engaging and enlightening content.
Abbie expressed her delight at joining REELise as an Ambassador.
“Social media is a big part of all our lives today and it brings so many benefits: connecting us, informing us, and entertaining us.
But I’m very aware it can also be a triggering minefield of negative influences. I’m excited to be part of an initiative to create a safe online space – where all of us can feel free to be our authentic selves, be included, be respected and be heard”.
Abbie’s first act as Ambassador will be to host REELise Bites – a series of online screenings of short films created by students about cyberbullying, digital life, mental health, body image and LGBTQIA+ issues, followed by panel discussions with the young filmmakers and other digital creatives, artists and activists.
REELise Founder & CEO, Karen Hamilton, said:
“Abbie’s use of social media platforms to spread messages of self-acceptance, body positivity, and mental health awareness, resonates strongly with a youth audience who are dealing with the challenges and benefits of growing up in a digital world”.
“We are thrilled Abbie is joining us to encourage young Australians to speak out and use their platforms to support respect for self and others and create a kinder, more inclusive, online space.”
REELise has empowered over 25,000 young people and supported the creation of over 150 films by young filmmakers with important social messages about digital living. A recent Online Safety Grant, awarded through the eSafety Commissioner’s Grants Program, will enable REELise to build on this work and deliver the ‘REEL Change’ project to children and young people throughout Australia.
