Baw Baw Live4Life crew recently launched its 2025 program at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.
Year eight students from across the region attended the launch event to meet the newly appointed crew members, learn more about the Live4Life program and gain an introduction to conversations around mental health.
Live4Life crew members volunteer their time during the year, acting as ambassadors within their schools, social circles, and the broader community, to promote positive mental health messaging among young people.
The crew plan events and develop mental health awareness activities, to help reduce the stigma around mental health, while also learning how to recognise the signs of at risk behaviours and poorer mental health.
Live4Life is a health promotion charity, using the Live4Life model to support rural and regional communities and their young people.
Baw Baw Shire Council supports Live4Life in Baw Baw alongside local schools, organisations and community members.
Mayor Danny Goss said he was extremely proud to partner and lead the Baw Baw Chapter of Live4Life.
"Live4Life delivers evidence-based mental health education in schools and the wider community and helps create local partnerships to lead conversations about mental health," Cr Goss said.
"This program is led by our local youths themselves and is such an incredible initiative for a young person to be involved in.
"Raising awareness of mental health is such an important issue, especially for young people, and we are excited to work together with the youths this year."
Since the inception of Baw Baw Live4Life in 2020, more than 3500 students and community members have participated in the program, and more than 160 students have volunteered to be Live4Life crew members.