A group of passionate local students recently came together to promote the importance of mental health.
More than 40 young people from secondary schools across Baw Baw Shire journeyed to the West Gippsland Arts Centre to participate in Live4Life's All-Crew event.
Baw Baw's Live4Life Crew is made up of young people from across the shire who are passionate ambassadors for improving mental health and reducing the stigma around seeking help.
The crew help to organise Live4Life events throughout the year and advocate key mental health messages within their schools and local community.
The All-Crew event provided an opportunity for members to share their activity ideas, learn from others and work together to develop important skills such as teamwork and public speaking, that are important to help increase their advocacy and positive impact within their local school and community.
This year, the Baw Baw crew has developed a range of activities including colour runs, a daytime disco, positive messages and posters displayed throughout the school, weekly lunchtime activities and events to support R U OK? Day and Wellbeing Week during September.
"The all-crew events are a fantastic way for all members to come together to share their ideas around new and exciting initiatives to promote mental health within their schools and the community," said Baw Baw Shire mayor Annemarie McCabe.
"Through the work of this program, our young people are supporting their peers through mental health challenges, educating each other on how to recognise the signs of mental health issues and know where to go to for help when needed as well as helping smash the stigma around mental health."
Live4Life is an award-winning program that is saving young lives in rural communities through mental health education and suicide prevention.
Youth Live4Life partners with Latrobe Regional Health, Baw Baw Shire Council, community organisations and members, and secondary schools to deliver this lifechanging program in Baw Baw Shire.
Live4Life Baw Baw is funded by Community Bank, Baw Baw Big Blokes, Gippsland Primary Health Network, the Corey Maric Foundation, the Baw Baw Local Drug Action Team, secondary schools and community.