More than 200 young people gathered at Benalla Showgrounds to celebrate a major milestone in youth mental health education at the Live4Life Benalla Celebration on Tuesday 21 October.
Organised and led by the Live4Life Benalla crew, the event recognised Year 8 students from Benalla P-12 College, FCJ College Benalla and the Australian Christian College who completed Teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training earlier this year.
Benalla Rural City Mayor Cr Bernie Hearn praised the initiative, saying “It’s wonderful to see our young people leading the way in mental health education. They’re not just learning, they’re sharing ideas, supporting each other and building a stronger community.”
Live4Life was first launched in Benalla in 2017. The program was introduced as a community-based initiative aimed at improving youth mental health and reducing suicide through education and engagement. It was delivered in partnership with Benalla’s secondary schools and several local organisations, with Benalla Rural City Council acting as the lead agent.
Since its launch, more than 2,000 young people in Benalla have completed Teen Mental Health First Aid training, equipping them with the skills to recognise and respond to mental health challenges among their peers.
The event was made possible through Victorian Government Engage! funding and financial contributions from Live4Life Benalla partners, including Benalla Health, Benalla Flexible Learning Centre, Benalla P-12 College, FCJ College Benalla, Australian Christian College, Tomorrow Today Foundation, NESAY and NE Tracks LLEN.