General News
9 February, 2023
Youth mental health program calls for more funding to support locals
A youth mental health and suicide prevention program is calling for urgent funding to deliver its services in regional communities, including the Central Goldfields. Live4Life is a registered health promotion charity that operates in the Central...
A youth mental health and suicide prevention program is calling for urgent funding to deliver its services in regional communities, including the Central Goldfields.
Live4Life is a registered health promotion charity that operates in the Central Goldfields Shire and eight other communities across the state, however a further 20 are on a waitlist to join.
Live4Life deliver accredited teen and youth mental health first aid training in schools and the wider community and CEO Bernard Galbally is calling on the government to work alongside the organisation and rural communities to support the rollout of evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention models.
“We are calling on the Victorian Government to work with us, and rural and regional communities across Victoria, to support the scaling up of our award-winning, evidence-based, youth mental health and suicide prevention initiative, Life4Life — and deliver on many of the preventative recommendations outlined in the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System,” he said.
“The government has stepped up to the plate with trying to fix the mental health system, and we congratulate them on these initiatives, but at the same time we need to be investing more in evidence-based, preventative models.
“Ongoing Victorian Government funding will help ensure a prevention initiative with proven outcomes is available to more rural and regional communities.”
In 2019, the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Interim Report found the nation’s suicide rate in rural areas was 40 percent higher compared to metropolitan locations.
The Coroners Court of Victoria and NSW Health data has also confirmed death by suicide rates increased in both states in 2022.
The Royal Commission also highlighted the Live4Life model as a community-based initiative that was having a real impact in communities.
The Central Goldfields Shire Council partnered with the charity last year to bring services locally, with 10 adults already undertaking mental health education this year.
Councillor Wayne Sproull said prevention is better than cure when it comes to mental health, which he said is a challenge when only outreach services are available locally.
“I think the extent of mental health issues in the community and the effect it has on people is underrated,” he said.
“We partner with organisations in Bendigo and Ballarat but specifically in Maryborough, there’s not a great deal of services available.
“Unfortunately, mental health is one of those things that isn’t recognised or dealt with until it reaches an acute level so any type of education, discussion or ability to identify those issues early in the community, which is what Live4Life are working towards, has got to be welcomed.”
Cr Sproull said he felt more needed to be done to address not only mental health issues within the Central Goldfields, but the factors that contributed to poor mental health outcomes.
“The high unemployment, general health outcomes, lower education and other wider factors, I think, contribute to poorer mental health outcomes in our community,” he said.
“While it’s great to have support and care available, which there needs to be more of, I’d really like to see more of a focus on dealing with some of the broader issues that may cause stress and lead to mental health issues to start with.
“I’m always concerned about the triggers that cause poor mental health — one issue we have at the moment is a lack of available housing and if you don’t have a house and somewhere stable to live, there’s a massive drain on that individual mentally.”
Cr Sproull said while there was a noticeable gap in local mental health services, other organisations did offer support.
“We do have good community-based avenues through the Maryborough Community House and Mill House who have the ability to point people in the right direction of services, as well as obviously the hospital,” he said.
“It can often be tricky to navigate the system which can create more anxiety and stress and so community organisations are there to support you.
“They may not be able to directly address your needs, but can help you navigate the system to get to where you need to be.”
If you or a loved one are in need of immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
To learn more about Live4Life and to access support, head to www.live4life.org.au/central-goldfields