Award-winning regional Youth Mental Health model Live4Life being rolled out in Bass Coast and South Gippsland
📸 Photographer Lakshal Perera @lakshalperera
As students return to the classroom for their third year of learning in the midst of a pandemic there is a real and immediate need to focus on the mental health of young people in our community, this is where Live4Life comes in.
The impact of COVID on young people in Australia has been substantial. Young people have experienced higher rates of loneliness, educational disruption, and psychological distress.[1] With suicide being the leading cause of death of young people in Australia, accounting for 40% of all deaths in those aged 13 to 18 years and with suicide rates reportedly 40% higher in rural communities it is vital that the young people in our regional communities receive mental health training and support. This is where Live4Life comes in, the award-winning evidence based model is the only youth mental health and suicide prevention initiative designed specifically for rural and regional communities.
‘Live4Life is a remarkable program, providing regional and rural young people and the communities that support them, with the tools to identify, understand and assist when mental health concerns arise. This program holds young people at the centre by providing the opportunity for young people to challenge the stigma, and support their peers through youth led and directed projects. South Gippsland Shire Council is proud to partner with Youth Live4Life, and welcomes the program to the South Gippsland & Bass Coast regions.’
Cr Mohya Davies, Mayor, South Gippsland Shire Council.
As part of the Live4Life community roll out in Bass Coast and South Gippsland at the end of last year, 5 Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Courses and a one refresher training course were held. Funded by Bass Coast Health’s School Focussed Youth Services, a total of 56 Teachers and Wellbeing staff across the Bass Coast and South Gippsland region were trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
‘We are really proud to partner with YouthLive4Life. Designed specifically for rural and regional communities, Live4Life is a youth mental health and suicide prevention initiative that builds the capacity for young people and the local community to recognise mental health concerns and seek and offer help. It is extremely important that the young people in Bass Coast know that they have the support of the local community behind them.’
Cr Michael Whelan, Mayor, Bass Coast Shire.
A key part of Live4Life is engagement with the local community. Schools involved in Live4Life in Bass Coast and South Gippsland include Mary Mackillop Catholic Regional College, Wonthaggi Secondary College, Chairo Christian College, Korumburra Secondary College, Leongatha Secondary College, Foster Secondary College and Mirboo North Secondary College. The Live4Life South Gippsland and Bass Coast Community Partners include Bass Coast Health, Australia Red Cross, Gippsland Primary Health Network, Department Education and Training Victoria, Community College Gippsland, Bass Coast South Gippsland Local Learning Network, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Victoria Police, Mirboo District Foundation and Wellways.
"It is really exciting to be expanding the Live4Life model into Bass Coast and South Gippsland this year, and with such great community engagement and 56 adults already trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid we are off to an excellent start. The Live4Life model has been proven to create more highly-networked communities, which enhances community resilience during hard times, which is particularly pertinent as young people enter their third year of learning during the pandemic.”
Bernard Galbally, CEO, Youth Live4Life.
In 2022 there will be nine Live4Life communities throughout regional Victoria including Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Benalla, Central Goldfields, Glenelg, Moira, Southern Grampians, and South Gippsland and foundation community Macedon Ranges. There is currently a waitlist of over 20 rural and regional communities through Australia who are wanting to implement Live4Life.
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021) COVID-19 and the impact on young people., AIHW, Australian Government.
Media Contact
Bernard Galbally is available for Interview.
CEO, Youth Live4Life Limited 0413 167 843 ceo@live4life.org.au
Josephine Wright
Communications Coordinator Youth Live4Life Limited
0402 086 341 josephine.wright@live4life.org.au
Notes to Editor
Live4Life - Winner VicHealth Award for Improving Mental Wellbeing 2018. Winner YACVic Rural Youth Award for Most Innovative Youth Project or Program in Rural or Regional Victoria 2018. Highly Commended LG Pro awards 2020. Live4Life features in the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System’s final report as a case study ‘highlighting innovation in community-led mental health solutions for young people’.
Read more about Youth Live4Life in our 2020 Annual report and our media backgrounder.