New program offers mental health support

A RURAL youth mental health program is set to be delivered in the region for the first time, with eight secondary schools taking part.

Ballarat is set to be the 10th major location and the first regional Victorian city to offer the program called Live4Life.

The organisation’s CEO Bernard Galbally said the city will be their largest location to run the program in.

“It’s incredible to see the way this community wants to change the narrative around mental health and wellbeing and suicide prevention,” he said.

“It’s being led by the City of Ballarat, and they have just done an incredible job. Already we’ve trained over 110 adults within the Ballarat community.

“We’ve had 20 community members put up their hand and want to be trained as mental health first aid instructors delivering mental health first aid courses.”

Live4Life was first established in 2010 in the Macedon Ranges and was introduced to other regions following the launch of Youth Live4Life in 2015.

The program will initially be delivered to year 8 students at Phoenix P-12 Community College, Ballarat High School, Ballarat Clarendon College, Damascus College, Woodmans Hill Secondary College, Ballarat Christian College, Mount Clear College, and Mount Rowan Secondary College.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson is one of the volunteers who’ll be helping deliver the program, and said its servicing a need in the region.

“Over the last few years, we’ve had five young people from our school community who’ve chosen to die by suicide which is where the conversation started from,” he said.

“[It’s about] letting young people know that there are opportunities for them to reach out, that it’s ok not to be ok.

“The model of Live4Life for a size of Ballarat is around $1 million.”

The four delivery modes include mental health education, partnerships with schools and community organisations, mentor support, and participation and leadership engagement with young people.

The roll-out is expected to begin from term two onwards for a five-year period with potential to expand to other year levels and schools.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14 and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.