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Baw Baw Live4Life Crew event at West Gippsland Arts Centre promotes mental health

Baw Baw Live4Life Crew, dedicated to improving mental health and reducing stigma, organised events, shared ideas, and developed skills like teamwork and public speaking.

By news@gippsland - 1st September 2023 - Back to News

44 young people from secondary schools across Baw Baw Shire have recently come together at West Gippsland Arts Centre to participate in Live4Life's All-Crew event. Baw Baw's Live4Life Crew is made up of young people from across the Shire who are passionate ambassadors for improving mental health and reducing the stigma around seeking help. The Crew help to organise Live4Life events throughout the year and advocate key mental health messages within their schools and local community.

Baw Baw Live4Life's initiatives include colour runs, discos, positive messages, and supporting mental health awareness events

Youth advocacy success

The All-Crew event provided an opportunity for members to share their activity ideas, learn from others and work together to develop important skills such as teamwork and public speaking that are important to help increase their advocacy and positive impact within their local school and community.

This year, the Baw Baw Crew have developed a fantastic range of activities including colour runs, a daytime disco, positive messages and posters displayed throughout the school, weekly lunchtime activities and events to support the upcoming RU OK? Day and Wellbeing Week during September.

"The all-crew events are a fantastic way for all members to come together to share their ideas around new and exciting initiatives to promote mental health within their schools and the community" says Baw Baw Shire Mayor Annemarie McCabe.

Youth mental health support

Ms McCabe added, "Through the work of this program, our young people are supporting their peers through mental health challenges, educating each other on how to recognise the signs of mental health issues and know where to go for help when needed as well as helping smash the stigma around mental health".

Live4Life is an award-winning program that is saving young lives in rural communities through mental health education and suicide prevention, and Baw Baw Shire Council is proud to partake in the program for another year.

Youth Live4Life funding

Youth Live4Life partners with Latrobe Regional Health, Baw Baw Shire Council, community organisations and members, and secondary schools to deliver this life-changing program in Baw Baw Shire. Live4Life Baw Baw is generously funded by: