Maryborough Education Centre delivered accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid training for teachers and support workers along with Highview College and Council staff recently as part of the Central Goldfields Live4Life program.
The training helps adults to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems among young people so that they can identify when a young person may be in need of assistance and provide appropriate support and/or referrals to services.
Since the commencement of Live4Life Central Goldfields, 29 local adults have received Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
Maryborough Education Centre Assistant Principal Julie Reiger shared that she had excellent feedback from the Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
"Every person I spoke to said they loved it."
Suicide is the leading cause of death of young people in Australia, and suicide rates are reportedly 40% higher in rural communities.
In 2021, Central Goldfields was chosen to be a Live4Life Community due to the collective efforts of Council, local schools and health organisations who recognised the need for more support for our young people in the Shire.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said Council was proud to partner with Youth Live4Life and be working with them to support our community to understand the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
"It has never been more important to assist our rural youth and challenge the stigma associated with mental illness."
Central Goldfields Shire has recently appointed Shelley Feilding to the role of Live4Life Project Officer.
Shelley is invested in the community, having grown up in the local area and having spent most of her working career in Central Goldfields.
Her background working with young people spans over a decade, and she is particularly passionate about mental health.
"It is through our collective efforts and commitment that we will succeed in improving mental health outcomes for young people and improving community responses to those who need it most."
Live4Life is the only youth mental health and suicide prevention initiative designed specifically for rural and regional communities.
The award-winning model aims to empower young people through mental health education and promote young leaders as mental health ambassadors.
