Glenelg Shire crowned a ‘Champion Community’ for their work and commitment to improving mental health

2019 Live4Life Crew Event, Photographer Michael Peters.

Mental Health First Aid® has recognised Glenelg Shire as a ‘Champion Community’ for its commitment to improving the mental health of young people and the adults who support them. The rates of mental health problems and suicide are higher in regional areas and worryingly, they continue to increase, prompting the Glenelg Shire community to take action and implement the award-wining youth mental health model Live4Life.

For Glenelg Shire their ‘Champion Community’ status is an acknowledgment of their sustained effort to successfully embed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA™) training, via the Live4Life model into local education providers, secondary schools, and the wider Glenelg Shire community.

The Live4Life mental health education and youth suicide prevention model, was designed specifically for rural and regional communities and focuses on supporting and educating young people through mental health first aid skills and training.

The Mental Health First Aid Champion Communities Program supports and recognises communities who invest in developing mental health first aid skills within their local community setting in a planned, integrated, and sustainable way.

Maddy McKinna, Youth Development Officer from Glenelg Shire said being recognised as a Champion Community, through the Live4Life model, demonstrates the strength of Mental Health First Aid training.

“Since the introduction of Live4Life in 2017 through to the end of 2021, approximately 10% of the Glenelg Shire community have been trained in Mental Health First Aid, including over 230 adults and 1,600 young people,” said Maddy.

“In that time, we continue to hear stories from our communities of when MHFA training has helped individuals navigate difficult conversations and situations. Where young people, parents and school staff have been able to utilise their training to support someone in crisis or to seek appropriate support before a crisis occurs.”

“It’s these types of stories which highlight the significant impact of MHFA training. Not only has the training sparked and encouraged important conversations in our community, but it has also helped reduce the stigma associated with mental health and overall, provided intervention and prevention."

“The Glenelg Shire has become a more resilient, informed and supportive community, and as a result we will continue to champion the importance of Live4Life and Mental Health First Aid.”

MHFA training is being delivered by instructors from within the Glenelg Shire as part of the Live4Life model, across a wide range of roles, experience, and backgrounds. Instructors include School Nurses, School Psychologists, Youth Officers, Health Promotion Officers, Partnership Brokers, and other community-based workers who deliver training as part of their roles.

Prior to the programs introduction young people from the shire, reported that they did not feel connected and or safe in their schools (Victorian average 85%, Glenelg 75.2%), and almost double the proportion of children were reported to have emotional symptoms (Victorian average 5.7%, Glenelg 9.6%). Glenelg Shire’s suicide rate for males was also 31% higher than the Victorian average. All of which were contributing reasons behind the Glenelg Shire’s decision to introduce MHFA training via the Live4Life model.

Bernard Galbally, CEO of Youth Live4Life congratulated the Glenelg Shire community on their Champion Community status.

“It is really exciting that Glenelg Shire has been recognised as a ‘Champion Community’ by Mental Health First Aid Australia.” 

Live4Life’s true success comes when everybody in the community becomes involved, from schools, to local community groups and hospitals to the young people themselves, as well as their families, teachers and, also, people like the football and netball coach. 

“Over the past five years Glenelg Shire has shown a strong commitment to improving the mental health of young people and adults who support young people through the implementation of Live4Life.” said Bernard.

“Now in its sixth year of Live4Life Glenelg Shire has successfully transitioned to self-sustainability, where Live4Life is now fully embedded in the community. This is an important milestone for the Glenelg community” stated Bernard.

For more information on the Live4Life model please visit: www.live4life.org.au

If you are interested in registering for a Youth Mental First Aid Course in Glenelg please visit: https://live4life.eventbrite.com.au

To learn more about Glenelg becoming a Mental Health First Aid® Champion Community please visit: https://community.mhfa.com.au/case-study-glenelg-shire/