RACV extends support for Live4Life youth mental health program to more regional Victorian communities

RACV is extending its support for Live4Life, a groundbreaking youth-led mental health program that has trained over 33,500 young people since its launch.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing shows that the prevalence of mental ill-health in young people aged 16-25 years has increased by 50 per cent since 2007, highlighting that prevention strategies are a priority to help save young lives. In regional areas, the suicide rate is now more than 50 per cent higher than major cities.

The Live4Life Ballarat program, the first program supported by RACV, has delivered evidence-based, age-tailored mental health education to almost 5,000 students and over 400 adults in the Ballarat community.

RACV General Manager Corporate Affairs Liz Carey said this funding extension will expand Live4Life youth mental health and suicide prevention programs to additional regional communities.

“Increased funding from RACV over the next three years will enable Live4Life to extend their reach to at least three additional regional communities,” Ms Carey said.

“The goal is to broaden the reach of this proven, community-owned prevention model – the only one designed specifically for rural and regional communities.

RACV is proud of its long and ongoing contribution to regional Victoria.

‘We are passionate about improving lives and giving back to local communities.

Live4Life Chief Executive Officer Bernard Galbally said Live4Life Ballarat's peer-led approach empowers young people to become advocates and within their own communities, creating a ripple effect of support and understanding across schools and the broader Ballarat region.

“Live4Life’s partnership model brings together schools, community organisations, health services, and local government to create a coordinated approach to youth mental health that extends well beyond the classroom,” Mr Galbally said.

“Mental ill-health and suicide among young, rural Australians and this additional support from RACV will enable Live4Life to reach more young people and rural and regional communities across Victoria.”

Since Live4Life’s inception in the Macedon Ranges in 2010, the program has been delivered to 14 communities, over 33,500 young people, over 3,300 adults and 1800 rew, helping to drive conversations about mental health among young people and their families.

For more information, visit live4life.org.au.