In its first year in the Latrobe Valley, the Live4Life Partnership delivered Teen Mental Health First Aid training to over 1000 young people, and Youth Mental Health First Aid training to over 100 local adults – the next step is being driven by a Crew of inspiring young leaders.
The Crew is a group of year 9 and 10 students from participating secondary schools across the Latrobe Valley who volunteered to lead the promotion of positive mental health messaging throughout their schools and broader community. Recently coming together for the first time, abuzz with enthusiasm and excitement, the young mental health ambassadors worked together to identify their focus for the year ahead – putting plans in place to share the message with their community. The theme they’ve developed will be announced at the Live4Life launch event in May, which brings together all year 8 students from participating secondary schools to take part in enjoyable activities and learn more about the program.
“We know that the leading cause of death in 15-24-year-olds in Australia is suicide, and that the rate is 40% higher in rural communities like our own,” says Latrobe Health Assembly Chair, Tanya Rong.
“The Live4Life model thrives on communities working together – which is something that the Latrobe Valley does incredibly well. The dedication from the Crew confirms that the future of our community is in great hands.”
The next round of free Youth Mental Health First Aid training is taking place in March – available to adults in the Latrobe Valley who would like to learn more about youth mental health and how to talk to young people about it.
Those interested can register here: https://www.healthassembly.org.au/registration/
