Building Rural Capacity Through Live4Life: A Whole-of-Community Approach to Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Tracks
Grand Ballroom 1 and Virtual via OnAIR
| Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM |
Overview
Jeremy Wiggins and Laura Crozier, Live4Life and Casey Musicka, Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House
Presenter
Jeremy Wiggins
Deputy CEO
Live4Life
Building Rural Capacity Through Live4Life: A Whole-of-Community Approach to Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Presentation Overview
Background
Young people in rural and regional communities face unique mental health challenges, including limited access to services, social isolation, and stigma. Live4Life is an evidence-informed, early intervention model designed for these settings. It uses a whole-of-community approach, with schools as the central point of activation. The model engages schools, health services, youth organisations, local government, and young people to co-design and deliver mental health education and suicide prevention initiatives.
Program Impact
Live4Life improves mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and builds the skills and confidence of young people and the adults who support them to seek help and assist peers. By embedding the model in schools and surrounding them with local services, it strengthens capacity through collaboration and community ownership. The model aligns with the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023–2027) and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023), prioritising youth engagement, early intervention, and place-based approaches.
Panel Overview
This panel features Live4Life leaders, young people from the Crew (youth leadership and participation) program, service providers, and agency partners. They will share insights from implementing Live4Life in rural communities, including the recent pilot in Break O’Day, Tasmania.
Attendees will learn how the Live4Life model—anchored in schools and supported by the broader community—can be scaled to meet the needs of rural regions across Australia. The session will focus on strategies for youth engagement, school-based delivery, and community-led implementation.
Key Discussion Areas
● Youth-led engagement through the Crew model
● School-based activation and cross-sector collaboration
● Community readiness and sustainability
● Alignment with state and national strategies
Conclusion
Live4Life offers a practical, school-activated model for reducing youth suicide in rural areas. This panel provides actionable insights for scaling the model to build stronger, youth-focused mental health responses aligned with national and state priorities.
Young people in rural and regional communities face unique mental health challenges, including limited access to services, social isolation, and stigma. Live4Life is an evidence-informed, early intervention model designed for these settings. It uses a whole-of-community approach, with schools as the central point of activation. The model engages schools, health services, youth organisations, local government, and young people to co-design and deliver mental health education and suicide prevention initiatives.
Program Impact
Live4Life improves mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and builds the skills and confidence of young people and the adults who support them to seek help and assist peers. By embedding the model in schools and surrounding them with local services, it strengthens capacity through collaboration and community ownership. The model aligns with the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023–2027) and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023), prioritising youth engagement, early intervention, and place-based approaches.
Panel Overview
This panel features Live4Life leaders, young people from the Crew (youth leadership and participation) program, service providers, and agency partners. They will share insights from implementing Live4Life in rural communities, including the recent pilot in Break O’Day, Tasmania.
Attendees will learn how the Live4Life model—anchored in schools and supported by the broader community—can be scaled to meet the needs of rural regions across Australia. The session will focus on strategies for youth engagement, school-based delivery, and community-led implementation.
Key Discussion Areas
● Youth-led engagement through the Crew model
● School-based activation and cross-sector collaboration
● Community readiness and sustainability
● Alignment with state and national strategies
Conclusion
Live4Life offers a practical, school-activated model for reducing youth suicide in rural areas. This panel provides actionable insights for scaling the model to build stronger, youth-focused mental health responses aligned with national and state priorities.
Biography
Jeremy Wiggins is the Deputy CEO of Live4Life, bringing over 15 years of experience in health service delivery and policy. His work is grounded in a commitment to co-design and the empowerment of communities with lived experience. A 2016 Churchill Fellow, Jeremy is a recognised leader in youth affairs, LGBTIQA+ advocacy, mental health, and sexual health. His career reflects a deep dedication to inclusive, community-led approaches that drive lasting impact.
Mx Casey Musicka
Program Coordinator
Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House
Building Rural Capacity Through Live4Life: A Whole-of-Community Approach to Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Presentation Overview
Background
Young people in rural and regional communities face unique mental health challenges, including limited access to services, social isolation, and stigma. Live4Life is an evidence-informed, early intervention model designed for these settings. It uses a whole-of-community approach, with schools as the central point of activation. The model engages schools, health services, youth organisations, local government, and young people to co-design and deliver mental health education and suicide prevention initiatives.
Program Impact
Live4Life improves mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and builds the skills and confidence of young people and the adults who support them to seek help and assist peers. By embedding the model in schools and surrounding them with local services, it strengthens capacity through collaboration and community ownership. The model aligns with the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023–2027) and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023), prioritising youth engagement, early intervention, and place-based approaches.
Panel Overview
This panel features Live4Life leaders, young people from the Crew (youth leadership and participation) program, service providers, and agency partners. They will share insights from implementing Live4Life in rural communities, including the recent pilot in Break O’Day, Tasmania.
Attendees will learn how the Live4Life model—anchored in schools and supported by the broader community—can be scaled to meet the needs of rural regions across Australia. The session will focus on strategies for youth engagement, school-based delivery, and community-led implementation.
Key Discussion Areas
● Youth-led engagement through the Crew model
● School-based activation and cross-sector collaboration
● Community readiness and sustainability
● Alignment with state and national strategies
Conclusion
Live4Life offers a practical, school-activated model for reducing youth suicide in rural areas. This panel provides actionable insights for scaling the model to build stronger, youth-focused mental health responses aligned with national and state priorities.
Young people in rural and regional communities face unique mental health challenges, including limited access to services, social isolation, and stigma. Live4Life is an evidence-informed, early intervention model designed for these settings. It uses a whole-of-community approach, with schools as the central point of activation. The model engages schools, health services, youth organisations, local government, and young people to co-design and deliver mental health education and suicide prevention initiatives.
Program Impact
Live4Life improves mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and builds the skills and confidence of young people and the adults who support them to seek help and assist peers. By embedding the model in schools and surrounding them with local services, it strengthens capacity through collaboration and community ownership. The model aligns with the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023–2027) and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023), prioritising youth engagement, early intervention, and place-based approaches.
Panel Overview
This panel features Live4Life leaders, young people from the Crew (youth leadership and participation) program, service providers, and agency partners. They will share insights from implementing Live4Life in rural communities, including the recent pilot in Break O’Day, Tasmania.
Attendees will learn how the Live4Life model—anchored in schools and supported by the broader community—can be scaled to meet the needs of rural regions across Australia. The session will focus on strategies for youth engagement, school-based delivery, and community-led implementation.
Key Discussion Areas
● Youth-led engagement through the Crew model
● School-based activation and cross-sector collaboration
● Community readiness and sustainability
● Alignment with state and national strategies
Conclusion
Live4Life offers a practical, school-activated model for reducing youth suicide in rural areas. This panel provides actionable insights for scaling the model to build stronger, youth-focused mental health responses aligned with national and state priorities.
Biography
Casey Musicka is the Program Coordinator for Live4Life Break O’Day, a youth mental health and suicide prevention initiative. With a background in community-led action through the Break O’Day Trial Site as part of the National Suicide Prevention Trial, Casey is passionate about empowering communities to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and increase awareness of local support services. She advocates for long-lasting, positive change in rural mental health. Casey was part of the team recognised with a 2021 LiFE Award for Outstanding Contribution, and was personally nominated in the same category in 2023.
Ms Laura Crozier
Crew Champion
Live4Life
Building Rural Capacity Through Live4Life: A Whole-of-Community Approach to Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Presentation Overview
Background
Young people in rural and regional communities face unique mental health challenges, including limited access to services, social isolation, and stigma. Live4Life is an evidence-informed, early intervention model designed for these settings. It uses a whole-of-community approach, with schools as the central point of activation. The model engages schools, health services, youth organisations, local government, and young people to co-design and deliver mental health education and suicide prevention initiatives.
Program Impact
Live4Life improves mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and builds the skills and confidence of young people and the adults who support them to seek help and assist peers. By embedding the model in schools and surrounding them with local services, it strengthens capacity through collaboration and community ownership. The model aligns with the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023–2027) and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023), prioritising youth engagement, early intervention, and place-based approaches.
Panel Overview
This panel features Live4Life leaders, young people from the Crew (youth leadership and participation) program, service providers, and agency partners. They will share insights from implementing Live4Life in rural communities, including the recent pilot in Break O’Day, Tasmania.
Attendees will learn how the Live4Life model—anchored in schools and supported by the broader community—can be scaled to meet the needs of rural regions across Australia. The session will focus on strategies for youth engagement, school-based delivery, and community-led implementation.
Key Discussion Areas
● Youth-led engagement through the Crew model
● School-based activation and cross-sector collaboration
● Community readiness and sustainability
● Alignment with state and national strategies
Conclusion
Live4Life offers a practical, school-activated model for reducing youth suicide in rural areas. This panel provides actionable insights for scaling the model to build stronger, youth-focused mental health responses aligned with national and state priorities.
Young people in rural and regional communities face unique mental health challenges, including limited access to services, social isolation, and stigma. Live4Life is an evidence-informed, early intervention model designed for these settings. It uses a whole-of-community approach, with schools as the central point of activation. The model engages schools, health services, youth organisations, local government, and young people to co-design and deliver mental health education and suicide prevention initiatives.
Program Impact
Live4Life improves mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and builds the skills and confidence of young people and the adults who support them to seek help and assist peers. By embedding the model in schools and surrounding them with local services, it strengthens capacity through collaboration and community ownership. The model aligns with the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023–2027) and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023), prioritising youth engagement, early intervention, and place-based approaches.
Panel Overview
This panel features Live4Life leaders, young people from the Crew (youth leadership and participation) program, service providers, and agency partners. They will share insights from implementing Live4Life in rural communities, including the recent pilot in Break O’Day, Tasmania.
Attendees will learn how the Live4Life model—anchored in schools and supported by the broader community—can be scaled to meet the needs of rural regions across Australia. The session will focus on strategies for youth engagement, school-based delivery, and community-led implementation.
Key Discussion Areas
● Youth-led engagement through the Crew model
● School-based activation and cross-sector collaboration
● Community readiness and sustainability
● Alignment with state and national strategies
Conclusion
Live4Life offers a practical, school-activated model for reducing youth suicide in rural areas. This panel provides actionable insights for scaling the model to build stronger, youth-focused mental health responses aligned with national and state priorities.
Biography
Drawing from her own experience with mental ill health, Laura is a passionate advocate for empowering and educating other young people when it comes to the struggles of navigating mental health, especially in a rural and regional setting. With over 8 years of volunteering and work with suicide prevention charity Youth Live4Life, Laura is now a proud member of their alumni group, Crew4Life. Laura now works for the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria in consent education.
Outside of work, Laura continues her advocacy through her platform as co-host of the podcast Growing Up Clueless which focuses on educating young people with open dialogue in a way that mainstream education didn't do for her.
