FOLLOWING pandemic lockdowns and event restrictions, students from across the Glenelg Shire have come together for the first time in two years to launch the Live4Life Glenelg program for 2022.

A crew of representatives from Casterton Secondary College gathered with peers from other schools in the shire at Portland Secondary College for the occasion.

The event marked the beginning of the sixth year of the mental health initiative for young people in the Glenelg Shire.

Youth Development Officer, Maddy McKinna said the event helped introduce crew members to the wider community.

“It was fantastic to finally bring together all of the Year 8 students from across the shire and our Live4Life crew members for our first combined launch in more than two years,” she said.

“Throughout the year crew members will champion positive mental health promotion and organise events as part of their roles as Youth Mental Health Ambassadors.

“We anticipate that 2022 will continue to be another successful year for Live4Life in the Glenelg Shire, as we work towards decreasing negative mental health stigma, increasing the awareness of local professional help and increasing the mental health knowledge of our community.”

Live4Life is a mental health education and youth suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities.

Crew member, Sarah Camilleri said she was looking forward to the year ahead, after re-joining for a second term.

“I joined Live4Life for a second year because it’s an experience you can never get back,” she said.

“You get to meet so many new and different people (and) you really do learn how to address and overcome the stigmas and how to support someone struggling with their mental health.” Since its implementation in the Glenelg Shire in 2017, more than 180 young people have participated as crew members and more than 1600 young people and 250 adults have received mental health training.