Over 2,400 students across Ballarat have taken part in mental health training this year as part of Youth Live4Life, a program aimed at helping young people navigate emotional challenges and encouraging communities to have open conversations around mental health.
Delivered in partnership with the City of Ballarat, local schools and RACV, the program has brought evidence-based mental health education into 11 secondary schools across the region. It includes support not just for students, but also for parents, carers, teachers and coaches.
“Young people in rural areas are at a much higher risk of suicide than those in the cities,” said Bernard Galbally, CEO of Youth Live4Life. “Suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians, and the rate is 40 per cent higher in rural and regional areas. That’s why this work matters.”
Galbally believes early intervention and equipping young people with the skills to recognise and respond to mental health issues can change long-term outcomes.
“If we can create a culture where mental wellbeing is prioritised and conversations are normalised, that has a ripple effect. It’s about building resilience across generations.”
This year’s outcomes reflect the scale and reach of the initiative:
- 1,385 Year 8 students completed Teen Mental Health First Aid
- 960 Year 10 students also received certification
- 111 adults in the community were qualified in Youth Mental Health First Aid
- 32 students became accredited Teen Mental Health First Aid instructors
- 4 new Youth Mental Health First Aid instructors were trained
As part of its long-standing relationship with the region, RACV has extended its funding support for another two years. The organisation said the decision reflects its commitment to supporting youth and mental wellbeing across regional Victoria.
“Ballarat is a vital part of the RACV community,” a spokesperson said, highlighting recent developments including the opening of the refurbished RACV Ballarat store, upgrades at the Goldfields Resort in Creswick, and new EV charging infrastructure in central Ballarat.
Youth Live4Life is the only mental health education and youth suicide prevention program designed specifically for rural and regional communities. The Ballarat branch is now preparing to bring a new cohort of students on board for the next phase of the program, with Mt Rowan Secondary College among the latest to implement the training.
As the pressures facing young people in regional towns continue to grow, especially in the wake of social and economic change, programs like Youth Live4Life offer one of the few proactive tools being rolled out at scale. Whether the long-term results match the promise remains to be seen, but for now, more than 2,400 students are better equipped to talk, listen and respond.
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