Baseline findings from Study 1 of a longitudinal co-evaluation of the Live4Life adolescent mental health promotion model in regional Victoria, Australia

The Live4Life model, developed by Youth Live4Life Ltd, is a mental health promotion and suicide prevention program for adolescents in rural and regional Australian communities. It involves the delivery of Mental Health First Aid education, youth leadership and mental health advocacy, with mentorship and implementation tailored to individual communities. Few studies have examined the impact of place-based programs to improve adolescent mental health and wellbeing in regional settings. This paper presents baseline findings from the Live4Life co-evaluation, describing cohort demographics and initial mental health indicators to inform future longitudinal analyses and address evidence gaps in regional prevention efforts. A naturalistic longitudinal cohort study with three survey waves of adolescents aged 13–15 years (Year 8, T1; Year 9–10, T2 and T3) capturing mental health, wellbeing, social connection, and help-seeking outcomes across five regional Victorian communities in Australia. The baseline cohort [ n = 1767; mean age 12.9 years (SD 0.46)] was demographically comparable to adolescents in inner regional Victoria. In adjusted, cluster-robust models controlling for language and family structure, female and non-binary adolescents had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores and lower positive mental health than males (all p < 0.001). Gender differences were smaller but still evident for loneliness and community connection. Adolescents from two-parent families reported slightly better wellbeing and lower depression and anxiety scores than those from other family structures. Baseline findings from this study, part of the larger Live4Life co-evaluation, provide a foundation for understanding how whole-of-community mental health promotion can influence adolescent wellbeing in regional communities.