Young people launch 2021 Live4Life mental health program
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Published on 22 April 2021
Six hundred year eight students across the Macedon Ranges attended the four official launch events for the 2021 Live4Life youth mental health program.
Each launch event introduced students to the 2021 Macedon Ranges Live4Life program theme: RISK IT TO FIX IT.
RISK IT TO FIX IT is the focal point for the activities and mental health promotion competition that students will participate in. Students will also complete the Junior Teen Mental Health First Aid course, which has been developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia.
Run by young people, for young people, the launches were emceed by Laura Crozier - a former CREW member - and the current Macedon Ranges Young Citizen of the Year, Miranda Johnson-Jones.
Miranda Johnson-Jones shared personal experiences of mental health and the courage that it sometimes takes to ask for help. Miranda encouraged students to embrace this year’s theme as “it’s always worth taking a risk and checking in with a friend you are worried about.”
Although Covid-19 restrictions did not allow for the usual launch event - which brings all schools together to kick off the program – separate events at Kyneton, Sacred Heart, Braemar and Gisborne Secondary Colleges were held. Led by Macedon Ranges Shire Council Live4Life Coordinator, Loren Polzot, the very committed and creative youth CREW worked hard to host events which engaged students and teachers to start a discussion on the importance of mental health.
Live4Life is an award-winning initiative developed in the Macedon Ranges more than has 10 years ago to support rural communities to reduce stigma around talking about mental health and seeking help.
Year 8 students participate in Live4Life through their school and get to:
attend exciting events like the launch and end of year celebration learn about mental health in their classrooms and beyond enter the Live4Life competition have the opportunity to join the Live4Life Crew in Year 9 to represent their school, learn leadership opportunities and mentor younger students.Live4Life offers mental health first aid training to adults as well and encourages everyone to find out more on Council's website.