Elsie Lange
Woodend-based charity Youth Live4Life is “thrilled” to expand its award-winning youth mental health and suicide prevention program interstate, thanks to a grant from the federal government.
On Wednesday, April 28, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt visited Woodend to announce the organisation had secured $871,163 as part of the government’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP).
Youth Live4Life chief executive Bernard Galbally warmly welcomed the funding to pilot Live4Life in one interstate region in 2023 and activate its first interstate partnership by 2024.
“This grant will enable us to both trial the award-winning Live4Life program and complete a thorough evaluation of its impact on the local community,” Mr Galbally said.
The Live4Life model was developed in 2010 by Macedon Ranges council as a response to increased mental health issues in the region, and in 2015, Youth Live4Life was formed to help expand youth suicide prevention.
Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said the council was “extremely proud” of the program.
“The announcement of additional funding for Youth Live4Life is extremely pleasing as it means the fundamental work the program provides in establishing these communities and educating our young people and their support networks about youth mental health can continue and on a much bigger scale,” Cr Anderson said.
Mr Hunt said the funding was about “hope and recognition”, and showed communities like Woodend could create national programs by bringing together schools, councils, youth advisory and great local leaders.
Liberal McEwen candidate Richard Welch described the announcement as “special and significant”.
Mr Galbally said more than 20 rural and regional local government areas across the country had already expressed an interest in implementing their model.
“We hope to reach 92 Australian communities by 2030 and this is a significant step towards this goal,” Mr Galbally said.
If you, or anyone you know needs mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
