Youth Live4Life

16/09/2025

No matter where you do it, swimming is great for your fitness. And it's fantastic for your mental health too! Airlie Beach Lagoon Lifeguard ADAM is a former police officer who's diving in the tropical waters of North Queensland this year.

So what's Adam's advice for all you LAP it UP swimmers?
Q What motivated you to sign up for LAP it UP this year?
A Adam: Fantastic experience last year and great for team comradery. The cause is grass roots and supports youth mental health.
Q How does swimming help your mental health?
A Adam: When your head is underwater, it's like the rest of the world is silent. One task matters at that time. It's peaceful.
Q What’s your best swimming tip?
A Adam: Start with an achievable goal and build over time. It's easy to 'skip a day'....But a lot harder when you return! Just keep at it, be consistent and have a routine.
Q How do you motivate yourself when the laps get tough?
A Adam: Remind yourself of your initial goal, the funds you've raised already and continue working towards reaching that lap goal!

Good on you, Adam! Let's LAP it UP!

Check out the Airlie Beach Lagoon Lifeguard's fundraising page here https://www.lapitup.org.au/fundraisers/airliebeachlagoonlifeguards [LINK IN BIO]

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15/09/2025

Huge shout out to Creswick civil engineer Michael Parker and his Massive Murray Paddle for Mental Health!

Michael has embarked upon an epic challenge raising funds for Live4Life and spreading a positive message of mental health. The Massive Murray Paddle is a 5 day 415km paddling adventure race down the Murray River and Michael has begun a gruelling training schedule to build up his kayaking endurance.

"My dad attempted MMP back in 1994, but couldn’t finish. Since he passed away, I have been thinking about finishing the race for him. A few months ago, I decided it was time," he says. "With the little kayaking experience I currently have, the whole thing makes me nervous. Right now I’m thinking ‘don’t fall out’," he laughs.

Michael has lived experience of mental health issues facing young people and was keen to support a program that puts young people at the centre. "I’m still early in the journey, but I was most surprised by the amount of donations that have come in already. There are some amazing people out there."

We'll be following Michael's progress as he paddles his way to the starting line in November. If you'd like to follow him too or send him some support, check out his updates here https://supportus.live4life.org.au/fundraisers/michaelparker / [LINK IN BIO]

Go Michael!

14/09/2025

Did you know, swimming for LAP it UP raises vital funds for Live4Life?

Live4Life is the only youth mental health and su***de prevention program designed specifically for rural and regional areas. Since it began:

💦 Over 33,500 young people have received mental health education
💦 Over 3,300 adults have been trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid®
💦 1800 Year 9 & 10 students have volunteered as Mental Health Ambassadors
💦 14 rural & regional Local Government Areas have implemented the Live4Life prevention model

With your support, young people can get the skills and knowledge they need today. All you have to do is swim some laps!

Dive in today and let's make a difference together this October.

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13/09/2025

Less than 3 weeks until we hit the water for LAP it UP 2025!

The countdown is on....and we’d LOVE to see YOU in the pool!

Now is the perfect time to register, set up your donations page and get on your socials to tell friends and family why your swimming.

So what are you waiting for! Let’s get in the water, get fit, support our own wellbeing and do something awesome for the mental health of young people in rural and regional communities.

Let's LAP it UP!

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12/09/2025

📣 Attention Crew members (past and present)!

Live4Life is running its first ever online Crew event: Crew4Crew: Online 4 You! ❤️💛💙💜

📆 Date: Monday 22nd September
🕙 Time: 10–11.45am

Yes, it's just for Crew! Designed, planned and hosted by Crew4Life (past Crew members), the event is an opportunity for you to build on your mental health knowledge, connect with Crew from other communities, learn about Crew4Life, and get to meet some amazing guests!

The theme of the event is: ‘Navigating the online world and keeping it real online’ and Crew4Life has invited PROJECT ROCKIT to explore the core idea: ‘Every choice you make online has an impact, so the impact you make is up to you.’ The session will also include trivia with prizes, a Q+A with Crew4Life and a special appearance by hugely popular online content creators, Jack and Isaac, hosts of Swag On The Beat.

REGISTER HERE https://events.humanitix.com/crew4crew-online4you [LINK IN BIO]

Use the access code CREW to register for FREE!

12/09/2025

Great to attend a panel discussion on Thursday 11 September in recognition of World Su***de Prevention Day, hosted by the Victorian Su***de Prevention and Response Office.

Live4Life Deputy CEO and Director of Strategy and Impact Jeremy Wiggins joined fellow panellists bringing perspectives from community, government agencies, research, and services to the discussion, exploring this year's theme: “Changing the narrative on su***de.”

Fantastic to be a part of meaningful conversations about su***de prevention and how we can reduce stigma around su***de. One year on since the release of the Victorian Su***de prevention and response strategy 2024-34, it's vitally important for Live4Life to be highlighting particular concerns, issues and risk factors for young people growing up in rural and regional communities.

Thanks to panellists:
🟣 Bailey Nation-Ingle, State Su***de Prevention and Response Adviser (panel lead)
🟡 Jon Kanoa, Deputy Chief Aboriginal Adviser Aboriginal Priority Projects and Reform, Department of Health
🔴 Katie Larsen, Executive Director Lived Experience, Mind Australia
🔵 Sam McKay, Su***de Prevention and Response Expert Advisory Committee (Research Fellow with Orygen/Centre for Youth Mental Health University of Melbourne)
🟢 Tess Marotta, Su***de Prevention and Response Expert Advisory Committee member
⚪️ Jeremy Wiggins, Deputy CEO and Director of Strategy and Impact, Live4Life

And thanks to all participants who joined online with thoughtful and valuable contributions!

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ALT IMAGE TEXT: Two photos of panel members in discussion at a long table set before a colourful artwork on the wall. Text at bottom reads: Victorian Su***de Prevention and Response Office / Panel discussion: “Changing the narrative on su***de”

12/09/2025

Did you know that over 75% of mental health issues occur before the age of 25?

LAP it UP is all about protecting young people’s lives in rural and regional Australia, where risk factors are significantly higher than in big cities.

LAP it UP provides much-needed funds to give young people and their communities the skills and knowledge to support themselves and one another. To understand the first signs of mental ill-health. To know what to do, how to help, who to go to.

Last year, LAP it UP swimmers raised more than $93,000 to support youth mental health in rural and regional areas.

Every lap makes a difference. So grab your bathers and goggles, register today, and dive in with us this October!

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12/09/2025

12/09/2025

With LAP it UP starting in just a couple of weeks, let's chat about some more ways we can support youth mental health.

Next up in the Live4Life alphabet of mental health tips — BCDEA 🙌🏼 — we have D! And here's two time Gold Logie winner Hamish Blake with Laura, Matty and Kyle from Live4Life to tell you all about it!

✅ D is for DON'T CHECK OUT!

No, Hamish, it's not for Diorama! When you're talking to someone who is not actively listening, it can feel like you are talking to a brick wall!

So...how can you be a better listener?
💜 pay attention
🧡 listen reflectively
💛 make eye contact
❤ nod and encourage
💙 notice body language and emotions as well as words

Sometimes conversations around mental health are tricky. But they can really make a difference when your friend needs it. It's okay to be awkward or just sit with the silence. Make sure you have plenty of time and remember...DON'T CHECK OUT. It's important to just be there...to listen.

Watch more of Hamish Blake's tips here: https://www.live4life.org.au/films

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Video Description: Live4Life video with Hamish Blake and former Live4Life Crew members talking about D for Don't Check Out and the importance of active listening.

11/09/2025

Delighted to attend the World Su***de Prevention Day breakfast at Parliament House in Canberra on September 3.

Live4Life CEO Bernard Galbally joined over 90 MPs, Ministers, sector leaders, and Australia's leading prevention advocates at the event, where Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Su***de Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, the Hon Emma McBride MP, announced the continuation of the Su***de Prevention Research Fund, with funding of $4 million over the next two years.

Live4Life welcomes this vital commitment. Investing in research absolutely aligns with our evidence-based approach and is essential to understanding the critical role prevention plays in the effective reduction of su***de.

Very pleased to take the opportunity catch up with Thirrili’s Regional Indigenous Su***de Prevention Coordinator Bill Bashford, Executive Director Strategic Relationships and Strategy from Health First Aid International Marc Bryant, CEO of Su***de Prevention Australia Nieves Murray, and Aunty Violet Sheridan, who provided a moving welcome to country and shared her own personal story of the impact of su***de. Many important conversations had and great to affirm our ongoing commitment to prevention advocacy.

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10/09/2025