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Live4Life crew led launch

LAST week the Live4Life community held its first Crew led event for the year, launching their new theme, ‘The hardest climb is doing it alone - we’re stronger together’.

Live4Life is a mental health program providing support for young people in rural and regional communities.

In the Southern Grampians this important initiative is auspiced, and largely funded by Western District Health Service.

WDHS chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald said the launch introduces the program to Year 8 and 9 students across the region.

“Live4Life is the only mental health education and youth suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities,” he said.

“In Southern Grampians Live4Life focuses on teaching students when and how to seek mental health support.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death in 15-24-year-olds in Australia and in rural and regional communities, the suicide rate is 40 per cent higher than metropolitan areas.

“Furthermore, 6 out of 10 young people living in rural and regional communities are unable to access mental health services.

“It’s critical we reach out to our young people early to provide the tools they need to support each other when they are experiencing a crisis or struggling with their mental health.”

Young people are at the heart of everything at Youth Live4Life, and students in years 9 and 10 volunteer to be part of the youth leadership program, the Live4Life Crew.

Live4Life Crew members receive training and support to become youth mental health ambassadors, promoting positive mental health messaging, and breaking down the stigma in their schools and rural communities. 

 Students at the Launch were also introduced to the Youth Mental Health First Aid program which is delivered locally by Live4Life.

The course equips teenagers with the skills to recognise and respond to a friend who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis situation.

Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, the Teen MHFA course helps build the confidence needed to support a friend until appropriate professional help is received, or the crisis resolves.

Hundreds of students from Baimbridge College, Monivae College, Good Shepherd College, Balmoral Community College, The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Hamilton Parklands School and South West TAFE attended the Live4Life Launch.

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