Youth Mental Health and our connection to Live4Life
Earlier this term, the Year 8 cohort completed the Teen Mental Health First Aid course as part of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Youth Live4Life program. This initiative, which has been strongly supported by Braemar College, began in 2010 in the Macedon Ranges in response to a rising incidence of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among young people.
Largely, Youth Live4Life envisions all rural communities in Australia being empowered to support, improve, and invest in young people’s mental health to reduce youth suicide. Their mission is to make the Live4Life model accessible to all rural communities across the country. Their purpose is to reduce youth suicide in rural communities by:
• Reducing barriers that prevent young people from seeking help
• Decreasing mental health stigma
• Increasing awareness of local professional help
• Enhancing mental health knowledge among secondary school students, teachers, parents, carers, and community members
• Building community resilience in addressing mental ill-health
The model places young people at its core, providing targeted, evidence-based mental health education and peer-led health
Mrs Emma Grant Dean of Wellbeing and Culture
promotion activities, as well as training for adults to ensure they have the skills and confidence to respond when needed most.
The mental health education is aimed at year 8 and year 10 or 11 students, targeting two critical periods in adolescence. This empowers young people to recognise mental health issues in themselves and others, enhancing their ability to act when they identify a problem. The evidence-based mental health education component ensures the delivery of consistent, research-based messages within the community, which is crucial for reducing stigma, increasing mental health literacy, and promoting positive help-seeking behaviours.
Our commitment to youth mental health is deeply intertwined with our connection to the Macedon Ranges and Live4Life. Through this partnership, we strive to create a supportive environment that addresses the mental health needs of young people in our community. Live4Life and the Teen MHFA course provides us with a robust framework and resources to deliver evidence-based mental health education, promote peer-led health initiatives, and equip our students, staff, and community members with the skills necessary to recognise and respond to mental health issues. By working together, we can foster a school climate that not only normalises the challenges faced by our youth but also ensures they are never alone in navigating these challenges.
SchoolTV Special Report: The Wellbeing Barometer 2024
As part of Braemar College’s commitment to student wellbeing, it is crucial to engage with our parent and guardian community, build strong connections, and keep you informed about all matters concerning your children. In 2022, Braemar College partnered with SchoolTV, an online wellbeing resource that has long supported families and schools by offering guidance and information to help address the challenges faced by young people.
This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enhance understanding, and break down barriers to navigate a path towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It also assists in initiating conversations on topics that may be awkward or difficult to address.
The Wellbeing Barometer survey has become a crucial tool for schools, offering insights into youth mental health and wellbeing. By understanding community concerns and the nature of these issues, schools are better equipped to support families and foster meaningful conversations, thereby building stronger relationships.
Participating in this year’s survey, will assist in identifying areas of strength and concern, as well as pinpointing opportunities for early intervention. Previously gathered information has helped support families as they navigate difficult conversations that enable understanding and foster connections to build relationships.
This survey is part of an ongoing, longitudinal study, with the results being instrumental in tailoring support for students and their families. Participation is strongly encouraged, as it provides a comprehensive view of students’ experiences, challenges, and achievements over the past year. Its aim is to capture a comprehensive picture of young people’s lives, allowing for a tailored approach to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing.
We encourage you to take a few moments to complete a survey for each of your children. This will help us determine the nature and extent of your concerns and how best to support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.
Acquiring the skills for future independence, taking healthy risks, and giving young people the opportunity to emancipate from parents, are key developmental tasks that are essential if we are to stave off the impact of mental illness in the future. Please reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice.
To participate, please access the survey HERE
Mrs Emma Grant Dean of Wellbeing and Culture
