We welcome Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Youth, and Mr Rob Mitchell MP
The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, the Minister for Youth, and Mr Rob Mitchell MP, Federal Labor Member for McEwen, visited our offices on 10 February to meet with our Live4Life Crew in the Macedon Ranges and talk about how young people in rural and regional communities are leading the conversations around mental health issues.
The Australian Government has set up five youth advisory groups and calling for young people between the ages of 16-24 to take part. Dr Anne Aly is keen to get more young people involved in the decision-making process: "Young people have valuable insights and perspectives, and it is important we listen to them on policies and programs that matter to them."
The Live4Life Crew is at the heart of everything we do. Learning about mental health in schools helps young people smash the stigma and understand who to approach if they or their peers need help. By becoming Ambassadors, and leading the way, our Live4Life Crew can change the narrative around how we all discuss mental health.
As Live4Live Crew has shown, becoming an Ambassador has a profound impact on the young people involved and the broader community too. The Live4Life initiative started in the Macedon Ranges and has been implemented in nine Victorian communities with three more coming on board this year – and one new community interstate in 2023.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Jasper (student year 8 ), Dr Anne Aly MP, Alannah Sander (Youth Live4Life Youth Engagement Worker), Rob Mitchell MP, Sasha (Live4Life Macedon Ranges Crew Member), Bernard Galbally (CEO Youth Live4Life), Laura Crozier (Live4Life Crew Champion), James (student year 11)
For more information, visit: https://www.ayac.org.au/advisory-groups
Photography: Kim Selby Photography