General News
21 March, 2025
Live4Life supports hundreds
The small Live4Life team in the Central Goldfields has made big changes through the award-winning youth mental health program.
Since Live4Life Central Goldfields started in 2023, the positive change they’ve made locally is counted in the hundreds.
According to the 2024 Live4Life Impact Report, the local branch saw 255 school students complete their Teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and 50 adults complete a full Youth MHFA training course.
While their contributions to the community continue the four young people who volunteer in the Live4Life crew did not go without recognition in the community.
Live4Life Central Goldfields was awarded the shire’s Community Event of the Year on Australia Day.
Live4Life Central Goldfields coordinator, Shelley Feilding, said it was a privilege and an honour for the team to receive the award.
“We are thrilled that improving youth mental health and reducing suicide has been acknowledged as being vitally important to this community,” she said.
But that wasn’t all for Live4Life last Australia Day as Ella Govan, who volunteers as a crew member, received Young Citizen of the Year.
With phrases like ‘be an upstander, not a bystander’ Ms Govan started volunteering to raise awareness for mental health locally.
Since Live4Life began in 2010, 29,991 young people in rural and regional communities across Australia have received mental health education through their services.
Live4Life CEO Bernard Galbally said evidence shows community-based prevention is vital in making a positive difference in youth mental health and reducing suicide.
“Youth mental health is a major national issue and it is particularly acute in rural and regional areas. We are very proud of the impact Live4Life communities are having,” he said.