Tree to help address mental health stigmas

CRESWICK farmers and residents have united to create a striking reminder about the importance of mental health.

Members of the community – some of whom knowing first-hand the effects of emotional and psychological concerns in regional and rural areas – gathered to unveil a blue tree outside IGA Creswick on Thursday 12 February.

Part of the national Blue Tree Project, the installation serves as a visual prompt to address the stigma surrounding suicide, and the benefits of supporting neighbours during tough times.

A joint initiative of Creswick Neighbourhood Centre, IGA Creswick and Creswick Readiness Group, money was raised last year for the cause.

IGA Creswick owner Steve Sellars said the tree encouraged people to connect.

“We put it there because a blue tree represents a symbol of hope,” he said. “It also encourages people to talk.”

Farmer Andy Maher spoke at the unveiling.

He said farmers faced a number of burdens that took a toll.

“Cost of living pressures and every day the electricity bills,” he said. “There’s been fires recently in the area where houses have been burnt, and that is devastating to lose your house and your farm.”

He said the tree would create discussion about mental health.

“To ring people up and say g’day and let them know you’re thinking of them is a really big thing to do.”

Cattle farmer Amanda Gray added: “A lot of farmers I think work in very isolated conditions, and as Steve and Andy have said there are a lot of stresses on farmers at the moment.”

She said the tree would be “a talking point”.

“It is a reminder to people who are suffering from mental health issues that you’re not alone,” she said. “That this community supports you, is thinking about you and is here to help you.”

Chrissy Austin from the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre said that suicide was “highly represented” in regional, rural and remote communities.

“So we want people to feel confident that they can ask for help,” she said.

The centre has placed information at the IGA for anyone requiring mental health support.

Meanwhile, the Creswick Readiness Group is continuing to train residents in mental health first aid. Twenty have been trained in the past two years. For information about the training, phone 5345 2356.

KMAC Painting and Shaun Dridan from Dridan Contracting contributed resources and labour to the project.

The tree follows the one Hepburn-based Call Your Mates installed in Creswick last year.