Live4Life coming to the Latrobe Valley

IMAGE DESCRIPTION - The inaugural Live4Life Latrobe Valley Partnership Group Meeting, 27 February 2024.

AWARD-WINNING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM COMING TO THE LATROBE VALLEY IN 2024

Latrobe Health Assembly is delighted to announce that the innovative Live4Life youth mental health and suicide prevention program will commence in the Latrobe Valley in 2024.

Live4Life brings together rural and regional communities to deliver evidence-based mental health education in schools and the wider community, create local partnerships to lead conversations about mental health which reduce stigma, and also promote young leaders as Mental Health Ambassadors. Live4Life is an award-winning prevention model centred on young people themselves. It protects young lives before a crisis occurs.

Latrobe Health Assembly is proud to take on the role of Lead Agency in implementing this groundbreaking, peer-led, evidence-based, community impact model, which spans both suicide prevention and mental health/wellbeing education — the only program of its kind designed specifically for rural and regional areas.

“The Live4life model improves youth mental health and reduces youth suicide using a collaborative approach, led by young people and supported by the whole community. Supporting our young people helps them to grow the skills and knowledge to support each other and reduce the stigma of mental health. We thank the schools and partners who are committed to working with us to bring this life-saving program to Latrobe Valley,” said Tanya Rong, Latrobe Health Assembly Chair.

Seventy five percent of people with mental ill health have their first episode during adolescence. Suicide is the leading cause of death in 15-24-year-olds in Australia  — and the suicide rate is 40% higher in rural and regional communities.

Latrobe Valley joins 11 other Victorian communities implementing the Live4Life model, where it has proven its effectiveness in growing mental health awareness and a help-seeking culture. Other Live4Life communities include Bass Coast, South Gippsland and Baw Baw in the Gippsland region, Ballarat, Benalla, Central Goldfields, Glenelg, Hepburn, Moira, Southern Grampians and foundation community Macedon Ranges — as well as the first interstate Live4Life community in Break O’Day, Tasmania. There is currently a waitlist of over 20 rural and regional communities throughout Australia.

“Projects such as Live4life are so important to our region and provide vital assistance for schools and young people navigating an increasingly complex society,” said Ryan Greer, Principal at Lavalla Catholic College. “The grouping of key support services, which promote positive adolescent mental and emotional health outcomes, makes a real difference in supporting our young people to become resilient, robust and active participants in their developmental journey. At Lavalla, we look forward to proactively partnering with other local and regional organisations to better prepare and empower our students for the challenges that they face.”

"It is really exciting to be expanding the Live4Life model into Latrobe Valley. It means that Live4Life is bringing many Gippsland communities together to help young people.,” said Bernard Galbally, Youth Live4Life CEO. “Live4Life is led by young people and involves the whole community. The Live4Life model has been proven to create more highly networked communities, which enhance resilience during hard times and help to support young people living in regional and rural areas. We know that when we work together, we can change lives.”

Youth Live4Life will partner with Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning Employment Network, Berry Street School, Chairo Christian School, Department of Education, Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault, Gippsland Primary Health Network, Gippsland Youth Spaces Inc, headspace Morwell, Jesuit Social Services, Kurnai College, Kurnai Flexible Learning Option (FLO) School, Ladder, Latrobe Health Assembly, Latrobe Regional Health, Lavalla Catholic College, Lifeline Gippsland, Lowanna College, Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Traralgon Secondary College, Victoria Police and YSAS Inner Gippsland  to deliver this award-winning program in Latrobe. Live4Life Latrobe is generously supported by Latrobe Health Assembly and local schools. 

“With the increasing awareness of mental health problems, particularly in our young people, Live4Life with its community-led, sustainable model will over time provide an opportunity for all in Latrobe to equip themselves to recognise, support and assist members of our community — win win!” – Susanne Lampitt, Mental Health Promotion Officer and Mental Health Nurse, Latrobe Regional Hospital

“Live4Life has taught me how to look out for myself, and it teaches you how to look out for others – it’s about how you treat yourself and others, and it’s had a big impact.” – LIVE4LIFE CREW MEMBER