Media Release

Youth Live4Life welcomes historic commitment to mental health and wellbeing.

Youth Live4Life welcomes the Victorian Government’s historic investment into reforming the mental health system in this year’s State Budget, released yesterday.

"To see mental health and wellbeing lead this year’s State budget is an historic moment” said Bernard Galbally, Youth Live4Life’s Chief Executive Officer.

“The Andrew’s Labor Government’s commitment to improving our mental health system, and the significant investment in the wellbeing of young people living in rural and regional communities, is to be commended.

“Suicide, as the primary cause of death of young people, has risen from 33% to almost 40% over the past four years, and rural Victorians are being impacted the worst. Suicide rates are 40% higher in rural communities than in metropolitan areas. As a community, we understand first-hand how important this investment is. The impacts of mental ill-health are enormous, especially in rural and regional Victoria.

“The recent Royal Commission report into Victoria’s Mental Health System and the Productivity Commission’s Report highlight the need for more prevention work, and for us all to be working together collaboratively. This budget demonstrates the commitment of the Victorian Government to invest in important community-led initiatives like Live4Life, which are protecting the lives of young people right across the State.

Live4Life is the only mental health education and youth suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities. The program’s life-saving work was highlighted as an important case study by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – “The Live4Life case study illustrates an example of a local organisation driving change in young people’s lives.”*

“Live4Life’s mental health and suicide prevention model has proven impact and is ready to scale. We are working in collaboration with rural and regional communities, from Portland to Cobram to Trafalgar, to support the wellbeing and mental health of young Victorians and ultimately, save lives,” concluded Mr Galbally.

*2 March, 2021, Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, Final Report: Page 36, Volume 2, Chapter 11: “Supporting good mental health and wellbeing in the places we work, learn, live and connect.”

For comment, contact: Bernard Galbally on 0413 167 843.

High resolution images of Live4Life’s programs can be downloaded here

Youth Live4Life’s Media Backgrounder can be viewed here