Young regional mental health ambassadors visit Parliament

Image Description - Young mental health ambassadors from the rural and regional communities of Ballarat, Benalla, Hepburn, Glenelg, Latrobe Valley, South Gippsland, Southern Grampians and Wellington attending the leadership day at Parliament House of Victoria

Melbourne, 30 September 2026 — 45 young mental health leaders travelled to Parliament House from 9 rural and regional Victorian communities this week.

Young mental health ambassadors who volunteer in Live4Life ‘Crews’ and a facilitating team of past Crew members travelled from the Gippsland communities of Wellington, Latrobe Valley and South Gippsland, central Victorian communities of Ballarat, Macedon Ranges and Hepburn, from Benalla in the mid-north, and from the western shires of Glenelg and Southern Grampians to attend an all-day civic leadership event co-designed by Youthrive Victoria and young Live4Life participants.

Trained Live4Life speakers Mina Beverley and Talon Gostelow, together with fellow former Crew members Elizabeth, Ella, Max, Jayhe-Lee and Thalia, joined Youthrive Victoria facilitator Stephanie Hartshorn to work with the visiting students on a series of workshops. The day’s program was co-designed by all the youth facilitators to advance the Crew members’ existing mental health knowledge, strengthen connections across different Live4Life communities, expand their knowledge of advocacy pathways, and build leadership skills.

Through the course of the day, they participated in i) an action and influence workshop facilitated by the Parliament of Victoria community engagement team, ii) a panel and Q&A with advocates, former AFL player Mitch Brown, athlete Dayna Kelly-Guthrie, Head of Movement at TRIMOB, and regional student activist Sienna Gladstone, iii) a visit to the Legislative Council Chamber and iv) skills-building activities.

Live4Life is an evidence-based, community-led prevention system designed for rural and regional communities, which builds the skills, relationships and local capacity needed to improve wellbeing, reduce suicide risk and support young people earlier. Since 2010, Live4Life has been implemented in 13 Local Government Areas all across rural and regional Victoria. The total number of young people who have received evidence-based mental health education through Live4Life is now over 41,000.

The Crew members who visited Parliament today are at the heart of the local programs — young representatives in Years 9 and 10, who volunteer to become leaders, promoting positive mental health messages and delivering highly visible events and activities in their communities. The Crew act as role models for the younger cohort at their school, using their extra training and knowledge to promote mental health awareness and create cultural change.

In 2026, 338 young people have joined Live4Life Crews in their communities. Since Live4Life began, over 2,100 young people have joined the Crew.

Live4Life’s participation in this event is supported by the ANZ Community Foundation, RACV and Wotton Kearney.

QUOTES

“A lot of mental health impacts or issues start around the age we are. So I think it’s good for us to lead that charge, to be able to be really passionate about that, and have a lot of experience and stories we can share as we go. Because we are the voice of the future.” Cooper, Youth mental health ambassador, Wellington

“Something I’ve learned today is that, no matter how young or how old you are, you’re always able to speak to Parliament and always able to speak for your peers around you. Being at Parliament House is amazing. Seeing all the architecture, the history and all the gold plating from the gold rush is incredible — and having all these young people here today with us is also really amazing.” Harper, Youth mental health ambassador, Glenelg

“I found it interesting how diverse and filled-with-ideas all the different Crews are and it’s been great to collaborate with lots of them. Young people can approach these things very open-mindedly and really understand what each other or everyone is going through together, empathetically. So it creates a safe environment for everyone.” Toby, Youth mental health ambassador, Hepburn

"These young leaders are already creating positive change in their schools and communities. Visiting Parliament was an important opportunity to build on that, giving them valuable experiences of civic participation and connection, while further developing their leadership skills as mental health ambassadors." Matilda Hasell, Live4Life Director, Partnerships and Engagement

"Live4Life Crews are champions in regional communities like where I grew up, putting their hands up to work together to decrease stigma and increase help-seeking behaviours. They are the peer leaders we need to improve mental health awareness among rural and regional youth." Mina Beverley, co-facilitator of the event and past Macedon Ranges Crew member

“Our young people are awesome at speaking up in their communities for a better understanding of mental health. It was so energising and inspiring to see them come together in Melbourne at Parliament House.” Talon Gostelow, co-facilitator of the event and past Macedon Ranges Crew member

“What I’ve really liked about today is everyone coming together and sharing our perspectives. We’re definitely branching out our networks which has been amazing. You don’t always have to be the biggest, loudest speaker in the room. Doing your little bit and helping to facilitate workshops and stuff is enough.” Jayhe-Lee, co-facilitator of the event and past Benalla Crew member

“Working with past Live4Life Crew members to design the Leadership Day at Parliament House has been an incredible experience. Seeing young people grow in confidence, step outside their comfort zones and bring their ideas to life has been incredibly rewarding. It’s been a privilege to support them throughout the process and see their leadership grow.” Charlie Bracey, Youthrive Victoria, Programs Manager

“Young people can make a difference just like any other person can. They have the lived experience of what young people need, what is working and what isn't. You don't have to be the loudest person in a room, sometimes just showing up and being present can create impact.” Athlete Dayna Kelly-Guthrie, proud Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta and Mutthi Mutthi woman, Head of Movement at TRIMOB

“By discussing stigmatised topics like mental health, young people can pave the way for greater understanding and acceptance - whether that’s in their friendships, community, or the systems we face. The moment a young person speaks up about something that matters to them, they are making a difference to everyone who hears their voice.” Regional student activist Sienna Gladstone

“We have many voices. That’s the power of creating community and having many voices. We can look after each other as well.” Former AFL player and mental health advocate Mitch Brown