South Gippsland Live4Life
Empowering our youth with mental health first aid training
Supporting youth mental health across South Gippsland
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic and the February 2024 storm event, the Mirboo North & District Vital Signs Report highlighted mental health as a growing concern across the district — particularly for young people. Increased loneliness, disruption to education and ongoing social pressures have only reinforced the importance of early support, education and community connection.
This is where Live4Life South Gippsland comes in.
Live4Life is an evidence-based mental health education and suicide prevention initiative designed specifically for rural and regional communities. Rather than focusing only on crisis response, the program works to build long-term awareness, confidence and support networks across entire communities.
“In essence the program is about building awareness and understanding right across the community of what youth mental ill-health looks like,” explained Ruth Rogan, Executive Officer of the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation. “And how to have a conversation with someone, with awareness of what services are available.”
“Live4Life for me is just being able to help and connect with other people about their experiences and mine as well… and knowing that you are not in things alone.”
Supporting youth mental health across South Gippsland
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic and the February 2024 storm event, the Mirboo North & District Vital Signs Report highlighted mental health as a growing concern across the district — particularly for young people. Increased loneliness, disruption to education and ongoing social pressures have only reinforced the importance of early support, education and community connection.
This is where Live4Life South Gippsland comes in.
Live4Life is an evidence-based mental health education and suicide prevention initiative designed specifically for rural and regional communities. Rather than focusing only on crisis response, the program works to build long-term awareness, confidence and support networks across entire communities.
“In essence the program is about building awareness and understanding right across the community of what youth mental ill-health looks like,” explained Ruth Rogan, Executive Officer of the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation. “And how to have a conversation with someone, with awareness of what services are available.”
“Live4Life for me is just being able to help and connect with other people about their experiences and mine as well… and knowing that you are not in things alone.”
Building stronger support networks for young people
Since launching locally in 2022, Live4Life South Gippsland has brought together schools, councils, health services and community organisations to create a coordinated approach to youth mental health support.
One of the program’s key focuses is Mental Health First Aid training.
Each year, students across South Gippsland take part in Teen Mental Health First Aid training, helping young people recognise signs of mental ill-health, support their peers and seek help when needed. Teachers, parents, carers and community members are also offered training to help strengthen support networks around young people.
Importantly, the model is designed to be sustainable within rural communities. Local volunteers are trained as accredited Mental Health First Aid facilitators, allowing the program to continue delivering free or low-cost training into the future.
Support from organisations including the Gardiner Foundation, Gippsland PHN, Bass Coast Shire Council, South Gippsland Shire Council and Equity Trustees has helped expand the program across the region.
In 2026 alone, more than 750 young people across South Gippsland are expected to benefit from Teen Mental Health First Aid training through Live4Life.
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