How Do Live4Life and MHFA Create Resilient, Mentally Healthier Rural Communities?
Tracks
Ballroom A - In Person Only
| Friday, November 11, 2022 |
| 9:25 AM - 9:45 AM |
Overview
Dr Bronwyn Robson, Mental Health First Aid and Bernard Galbally, Youth Live4Life Ltd
Speaker
Bernard Galbally
CEO
Youth Live4Life Ltd
How Do Live4Life and MHFA Create Resilient, Mentally Healthier Rural Communities?
Abstract
In Australia, the rates of mental illness in young people increase the more removed they are from capital cities. Similarly, the suicide rate increases amongst young people in correlation with the remoteness of their location. Live4Life is a sustainable mental health education and youth suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities. Live4Life works in conjunction with schools, local governments and community partners to promote discussion about mental health in order to reduce stigma, improve young people’s mental health and reduce youth suicide in the long-term.
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or a mental health crisis situation. This help is given until the crisis resolves or until they can be connected with appropriate supports. The Live4Life model delivers Teen MHFA training (teaching adolescents to provide peer to peer support) within schools and Youth MHFA to adults in both schools and the community settings more broadly (teachers, school support staff, sporting coaches, etc) who are supporting or connecting with teens.
Through the innovative implementation of the Live4Life model and Mental Health First Aid evidence-based education, rural communities are supported to build resilience and capacity, where the improved mental health literacy of individual community members helps create a non-stigmatising and supportive community environment.
Communities benefit through having trained individuals who can provide a source of support when professional help is not immediately or readily available, by reducing the discrimination often felt by those experiencing mental health problems and by creating a more inclusive community that welcomes everyone with respect and knows how to help when help is needed.
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or a mental health crisis situation. This help is given until the crisis resolves or until they can be connected with appropriate supports. The Live4Life model delivers Teen MHFA training (teaching adolescents to provide peer to peer support) within schools and Youth MHFA to adults in both schools and the community settings more broadly (teachers, school support staff, sporting coaches, etc) who are supporting or connecting with teens.
Through the innovative implementation of the Live4Life model and Mental Health First Aid evidence-based education, rural communities are supported to build resilience and capacity, where the improved mental health literacy of individual community members helps create a non-stigmatising and supportive community environment.
Communities benefit through having trained individuals who can provide a source of support when professional help is not immediately or readily available, by reducing the discrimination often felt by those experiencing mental health problems and by creating a more inclusive community that welcomes everyone with respect and knows how to help when help is needed.
Biography
Bernard Galbally was appointed CEO of Youth Live4Life in May 2018, having previously served as a Director of Youth Live4Life. In that time, Youth Live4Life has expanded to nine rural communities and is highlighted as an important case study in the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System's final report. Bernard is extremely passionate about creating connections within communities and encouraging people to talk about mental health.
Dr Bronwyn Robson
Interim Community Engagement Manger
Mental Health First Aid Australia
How Do Live4Life and MHFA Create Resilient, Mentally Healthier Rural Communities?
Abstract
In Australia, the rates of mental illness in young people increase the more removed they are from capital cities. Similarly, the suicide rate increases amongst young people in correlation with the remoteness of their location. Live4Life is a sustainable mental health education and youth suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities. Live4Life works in conjunction with schools, local governments and community partners to promote discussion about mental health in order to reduce stigma, improve young people’s mental health and reduce youth suicide in the long-term.
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or a mental health crisis situation. This help is given until the crisis resolves or until they can be connected with appropriate supports. The Live4Life model delivers Teen MHFA training (teaching adolescents to provide peer to peer support) within schools and Youth MHFA to adults in both schools and the community settings more broadly (teachers, school support staff, sporting coaches, etc) who are supporting or connecting with teens.
Through the innovative implementation of the Live4Life model and Mental Health First Aid evidence-based education, rural communities are supported to build resilience and capacity, where the improved mental health literacy of individual community members helps create a non-stigmatising and supportive community environment.
Communities benefit through having trained individuals who can provide a source of support when professional help is not immediately or readily available, by reducing the discrimination often felt by those experiencing mental health problems and by creating a more inclusive community that welcomes everyone with respect and knows how to help when help is needed.
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or a mental health crisis situation. This help is given until the crisis resolves or until they can be connected with appropriate supports. The Live4Life model delivers Teen MHFA training (teaching adolescents to provide peer to peer support) within schools and Youth MHFA to adults in both schools and the community settings more broadly (teachers, school support staff, sporting coaches, etc) who are supporting or connecting with teens.
Through the innovative implementation of the Live4Life model and Mental Health First Aid evidence-based education, rural communities are supported to build resilience and capacity, where the improved mental health literacy of individual community members helps create a non-stigmatising and supportive community environment.
Communities benefit through having trained individuals who can provide a source of support when professional help is not immediately or readily available, by reducing the discrimination often felt by those experiencing mental health problems and by creating a more inclusive community that welcomes everyone with respect and knows how to help when help is needed.
Biography
Dr Bronwyn Robson has a varied background in genetics, teaching and counselling, who is both the Interim Community Engagement Manager for Mental Health First Aid Australia and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Through her experiences as a high school teacher and university student counsellor, she is highly cognisant of the mental health difficulties faced by teens. As a MHFA instructor, she has first-hand experience with the courses, and has seen the positive impact they can have on people's lives. She is thrilled to be working with Live4Life to be rolling out training to particularly vulnerable rural cohorts.
