Youth Live4Life

30/01/2026

📢📢📢 Live4Life CREW! We want YOU!

Have you completed your time (or are about to) in your local Live4Life Crew? Are you hungry for MORE? Do you want to stay connected with other young people who are passionate about improving mental health?

Crew4Life is waiting! Just for you!

Crew4Life is an awesome community of former Live4Life Crew members.

The first ✌𝓚𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓑𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓒𝓻𝓮𝔀4𝓛𝓲𝓯𝓮✌ for 2026 is coming up soon! Crew Champion Talon will be hosting and we'll be setting goals and planning for 2026 — ready to set the scene for an exciting Crew4Life year.
📅Monday 2 February
🕝5.30-6.30pm

To register for the Kick Back OR to sign up for Crew4Life, email Bridie at bridie.johnstone@live4life.org.au or visit the website https://www.live4life.org.au/crew4life / [LINK IN BIO]

23/01/2026

Live4Life CEO Jeremy Wiggins is urging governments to strengthen youth mental health support in rural Australia following catastrophic bushfires and flash flooding, warning that young people will face ongoing impacts long after emergency responses end.

The call comes as Live4Life reaches a significant milestone, having now supported more than 38,970 young people across 14 rural and regional communities through its youth-led mental health and su***de prevention programs.

"Disasters place enormous strain on young people and families, particularly in communities where access to mental health support is already limited. The recovery phase is where sustained, local support matters most. These experiences are traumatic and destabilising. They reinforce the need for prevention-focused mental health programs that are embedded in communities before a crisis hits." Jeremy Wiggins CEO Live4Life

State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland MP, whose electorate was directly affected by the recent fires, said youth-led programs like Live4Life played a critical role in strengthening community resilience.

"Every young person deserves access to strong, early mental health support, regardless of their postcode. Live4Life has proven that when young people are given the tools, the training and the trust, they can make a real difference in their own communities." Annabelle Cleeland MP

Former Live4Life participant and Crew4Life volunteer Bella Trait said community connection remained vital as recovery continues.

"While the fires may be easing, the mental health impact, especially for young people, will last longer. Many are still processing fear and stress, and ongoing support and safe spaces to talk are really important." Bella Trait

With many young people preparing to return to school, Mr Wiggins said the coming weeks would be critical. "Some students will be returning to classrooms while living in temporary accommodation or supporting families under extreme pressure. We must ensure they’re not left without support." Jeremy Wiggins CEO Live4Life

To learn more https://www.live4life.org.au/media-releases (Link in Bio).

20/01/2026

🎉Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor - Volunteer Role 🎉

Live4Life Wellington Partnership Group is seeking an enthusiastic and passionate community member to undertake Mental Health First Aid International’s Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor training.

This is a 3-year commitment in a voluntary role.

Youth Live4Life is a youth su***de prevention and mental health education model. Their vision is that all rural communities across Australia are empowered to support, improve and invest in their young people's mental health and reduce youth su***de.

Live4Life in Wellington is now in its third year, successfully implementing the model across all secondary schools in the shire. We deliver free of charge Youth Mental Health First Aid courses to parents, school staff and anyone who works with young people in our community.

Through the Live4Life Wellington Partnership and a grant from Community Bank Maffra & District all costs for training will be covered. This opportunity is open to a member of the community who lives, works or volunteers within the Community Bank Maffra & District area.

Keen to apply & want to know more? Contact Helen - Youth Partnerships Officer Wellington Shire Council 1300 366 244

15/01/2026

📣 We are delighted to introduce our new Live4Life CEO, Jeremy Wiggins!

Jeremy joined Live4Life as Deputy CEO and Director of Strategy and Impact in April last year, making an immediate impression with his wealth of experience and thoughtful leadership. After a thorough external recruitment process in the second half of 2025, canvassing over 60 candidates, the Board appointed Jeremy as CEO, commencing 1 January 2026.

“I am excited to be embarking on this latest chapter of Live4Life in the role of CEO. I'd like to thank inaugural CEO Bernard Galbally for his important work in building the reach of Live4Life to where it is today. The organisation is well-placed to continue to support an expanding network all across Australia. In light of the current Victorian bushfires, the strength and solidarity among rural and regional communities has never been more clear. Live4Life is a program which harnesses that spirit to improve mental health and wellbeing for young people, aligning with the heart and soul which makes these communities unique,” he said.

Jeremy has extensive experience working with young people and rural and regional communities. As former CEO of Transcend Australia, he is a highly experienced executive manager with expertise across LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing, sexual health, alcohol and drugs, mental health, policy, research, health promotion, evaluation and service design.

Congratulations, Jeremy! 👏👏👏

***de

15/01/2026

IN THE MEDIA: Live4Life Benalla’s success shows the power of youth-led mental health support — Yarrawonga Chronicle

Following her own experience in last week's bushfires, Legislative Assembly member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has made a powerful appeal for an expansion in preventative mental health programs in her rural electorate — specifically calling attention to the Live4Life program in Benalla.

Quoted in the Yarrawonga Chronicle, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Health said: “Every young person deserves access to strong, early mental health support, regardless of their postcode. Live4Life is delivering real outcomes, and I want to see those benefits extended to more regional communities.”

Independent evaluations have shown that Live4Life helps build more networked and resilient communities. At a time when many rural and regional areas are under stress, young people are returning to school relying on the support of their peers, the adults in their life, and in need of the mental health knowledge and skills that a community-based prevention program can provide.

www.live4life.org.au/latest-news/live4life-benallas-success-shows-the-power-of-youth-led-mental-health-support

Annabelle Cleeland MP

ALT IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A photograph of approximately 30 young people in the Live4Life Benalla Crew, positioned above a red panel, headlined: "In the media" with a subheading: "Live4Life Benalla’s success shows the power of youth-led mental health support. Yarrawonga Chronicle" and text: "'Live4Life has proven that when young people are given the tools, the training and the trust, they can make a real difference in their own communities. In Benalla Rural City, the program has reduced stigma, encouraged help-seeking behaviour and built a strong network of young leaders who are looking out for one another.' State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland MP"

12/01/2026

It's been a devastating past couple of days for many Victorians living in rural and regional areas.

Live4Life is headquartered in central Victoria and has staff who live in areas impacted by bushfires. Our thoughts are with all Victorians, including the many Live4Life communities that have been impacted.

Even if you are not directly affected, times like this can bring about intense feelings of sadness, anxiety and stress.

If you are experiencing a tough time, need someone to talk to, or are in a crisis, here is a list of services designed to support both young people and adults who are experiencing mental ill-health. These resources are also available for friends, parents and carers who would like some guidance and support.

Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800
Lifeline 13 11 14
headspace (including Yarn Safe) 1800 650 890
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
ReachOut Australia
Su***de Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Butterfly Foundation 1800 33 4673
QLife Australia 1800 184 527
Rainbow Door 1800 729 367
Switchboard Victoria
Minus18

If life is in danger, please call Triple Zero 000 or 106 if you are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak.

You can find a full list of services on the Live4Life website - https://www.live4life.org.au/get-support . [LINK IN BIO https://www.live4life.org.au/get-support]

31/12/2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Live4Life team is looking forward to a fabulous 2026, supporting the amazing work of Live4Life communities!

We're excited about all the activities soon to get underway — and especially to welcome all the young people volunteering as Mental Health Ambassadors in the Crew this year. In the meantime, we hope everyone across rural and regional Australia is enjoying an awesome summer break. See you all soon!

We also acknowledge that this time of year can be difficult for many in our community. If you are experiencing a tough time, need someone to talk to, or are in a crisis, we recommend:
✅ Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800
✅ Lifeline 13 11 14
✅ headspace (including Yarn Safe) 1800 650 890
✅ Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
✅ ReachOut Australia
✅ Su***de Call Back Service 1300 659 467
✅ Butterfly Foundation 1800 33 4673
✅ QLife Australia 1800 184 527
✅ Rainbow Door 1800 729 367
✅ Switchboard Victoria
✅ Minus18

If life is in danger, please call Triple Zero 000 or 106 if you are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak.

You can find a full list of services on the Live4Life website: www.live4life.org.au/get-support / LINK IN BIO

23/12/2025

December can be a real struggle for many people. But you can make a life-changing gift this festive season.

DONATE TODAY https://supportus.live4life.org.au/donate

With just TWO DAYS TO GO, a gift from you can make a huge difference to a young person’s life!

Did you know that su***de is the leading cause of death in young Australians?

Live4Life is the only prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities — where the su***de rate is over 50% higher than in metro areas.

Prevention works! Donate today and have a lasting impact on the lives of young people — before a crisis occurs.

***deprevention

19/12/2025

19/12/2025

That's a wrap for 2025! And what a fantastic year from Live4Life communities all around Victoria and Tasmania!

A HUGE thanks to:
💛 Young people who volunteer in the Crews
💛 Crew4Life members who advocate for young people's mental health post-school
💛 Live4Life School and Community Partnership Groups
💛 Coordinators and Crew Support Workers
💛 Teen and Youth MHFA® Instructors
💛 School staff
💛 Donors and funders
💛 Board and Sub-Committee members
💛 And the Live4Life staff

Live4Life involves many rural and regional communities across wide and diverse geographical areas. Thanks to everyone for all your hard work over the year. It's such a privilege to share the journey together and help support your young people in their leadership and advocacy.

The Live4Life team wishes you a festive season full of good company and joyful celebration. If you are taking a break, may it be restful and rejuvenating. See you in the New Year!

We also acknowledge that this time of year can be difficult for many in our community. If you are experiencing a tough time, need someone to talk to, or are in a crisis, we recommend the Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800, Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, or headspace 1800 650 890.

If life is in danger, please call Triple Zero 000 or 106 if you are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak.

You can find more services on the Live4Life website. [LINK https://www.live4life.org.au/get-support]

The Live4Life office closes for the year on 23 December and reopens on 5 January 2026.

City of Ballarat Latrobe Regional Health Baw Baw Shire Council
Comms Benalla Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House Inc. Highview College Glenelg Shire Council Glenelg Shire Youth Daylesford College Hepburn Shire Council Latrobe Health Assembly Macedon Ranges Youth South Gippsland Shire Council Western District Health Service Shire Council

18/12/2025

December can be a real struggle for many people. But you can make a life-changing gift this festive season.

DONATE TODAY https://supportus.live4life.org.au/donate

With just ONE WEEK TO GO, a gift from you can make a huge difference to a young person’s life!

Did you know that su***de is the leading cause of death in young Australians?

Live4Life is the only prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities — where the su***de rate is over 50% higher than in metro areas.

Prevention works! Donate today and have a lasting impact on the lives of young people — before a crisis occurs.

***deprevention

17/12/2025

Our crew continue to inspire with their courage, compassion and vision for a kinder, safer and more connected community.

When young people lead the way, real change happens.

Proud of our Live4Life crew for using their voices to make sure no one feels alone