My passion is about youth mental health and creating change from the ground up within a community. I really think it's important to bring people together to talk about all sorts of different topics and reduce the stigma.

I decided to become involved with Live4Life because it is incredibly warming to see young people within our community working together and raising awareness on mental health topics.

I believe that being part of the Crew offers so many opportunities to the young people who embark on this journey. I can see the leadership, personal growth, professional skill development opportunities, social connection, community recognition and empowerment.

Supporting young people’s mental health and spreading awareness is something I am extremely passionate about and the Live4Life program provides an incredible platform for young people’s voices to be heard and real change on a community level to be made.

I joined the Crew in 2018, after hearing about Live4Life when our local council’s youth worker came the year before and spoke to our class.

I first joined the Live4Life Crew in Macedon Ranges many, many, MANY moons ago when I was a wee little Year 9 student.

People often ask me why I joined the crew in the first place and my answer is simple - because Live4Life gave me the tools I needed to navigate my mental health when I needed them most.

My Live4Life journey started a whole 10 years ago...right back when the program began in Macedon Ranges.

Live4Life has taught me a lot and helped me to overcome a lot of misconceptions I had about mental health.

For me, Live4Life saved Brooke’s life.

“…we’re creating a support network for young people and for everyone to start having that conversation.” Matty, Live4Life Crew alumni

We have seen the willingness of our young people to open up and talk around the topic of mental health, and a definite increase in help-seeking behaviour; for themselves and their friends. Students now have the language and ability to talk about mental health issues that are impacting on those around them and they know where and how to seek help.