Gippsland › Latest news › Baw Baw Local News

Baw Baw Shire celebrates five years of Live4Life Youth Mental Health program enhancing community wellbeing

Baw Baw Shire celebrated five years of the Live4Life youth mental health program, empowering communities, enhancing mental health education, and providing vital support to over 800 local students this year.

By news@gippsland - 30th October 2024 - Back to News

Celebrations took place this week, marking the fifth successful year of the Live4Life youth mental health program in Baw Baw Shire. Launched in Baw Baw Shire in 2020, Live4Life is protecting young lives where it matters most - empowering rural and regional communities to improve youth mental health and reduce suicide.

Baw Baw Shire Council, alongside local organizations and schools, delivers evidence-based youth suicide prevention education. Recently, 25 students celebrated the program's success at The Summit Adventure Park

Celebrating youth mental health

Led by Baw Baw Shire Council and a collaborative partnership group of local organisations, schools and community, the program delivers evidence-based youth suicide prevention and mental health education to secondary schools and education settings across the Shire.

The end of year celebration on Monday saw 25 crew members from seven participating secondary schools join with the theme of 'Connect to Protect' at The Summit Adventure Park in Trafalgar.

The team reflected on the 2024 program, with highlights including the Crew Camp program, which brought together Live4Life crews from communities across the state and the many crew-led mental health awareness activities delivered in schools aimed at creating positive mental health messages and reducing stigma.

Youth mental empowerment

Additionally, over 800 students across the Shire completed Teen Mental Health First Aid training this year providing valuable knowledge and skills to support positive outcomes for young people. Baw Baw Shire Council CEO Mark Dupe said Council was proud to be one of the 14 communities that had adopted the Live4Life model to support local young people.

"This year we celebrate five great years of Live4Life in Baw Baw Shire. During that time hundreds of young people have had access to information, conversations and support regarding mental health and suicide prevention, which is so important."

"The education and connection opportunities that Live4Life provides our local young people is setting them up to be empowered and resilient members of our community. We look forward to next year where we will continue to work with Live4Life creating positive change in the lives of young people", said Mr Dupe. To find out more information, go to Baw Baw Live4Life website.

Pictures from Baw Baw shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com