Linton on a tree hunt for mental health awareness

THE Linton and District Progress Association is on the hunt for a tree to be painted blue in the name of mental health awareness, and is calling for nominations from the community. The idea for a blue tree came from association member and psychologist Karen Sherlock, who became aware of the Blue Tree Project while working in outback Queensland with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. “My base was in Charleville, and a bunch of the local communities got together and decided they would do a blue tree,” she said. “For me it was a no-brainer for the RFDS to get involved, so we did.

“We did one in Charleville and I’ve thought about it for a long time, about doing one around Linton.” The Blue Tree Project began in 2019, inspired by a story shared at the funeral of Jayden Whyte, who lost his life to suicide in 2018. The tale of the original blue tree began as a lighthearted moment between Jayden and his friend, Tjarda. Together, they painted a dead tree blue on Jayden’s family farm in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region as a playful prank in 2014. What started as an act of fun and mischief has since transformed into something profoundly meaningful.

“The Blue Tree Project is all about mental health – raising awareness and tackling stigma, particularly in outback areas,” Ms Sherlock said. “It’s taken off; it’s taken off all over Australia and all over the world now.” More than 100 blue trees have been registered in Victoria alone. Ms Sherlock, a Linton resident, said the association would ideally like to have a tree chosen and painted by the end of this year, if possible.

She said nominated trees could be on either private property or council land, with the Blue Tree Project organisation able to help with gaining necessary permissions from local government authorities. The criteria for nominated trees are that they must be dead, large, isolated so they stand out against the landscape, and that they be highly visible from a main road. Several trees had already been suggested, Ms Sherlock said, but people were welcome to submit as many nominations as possible. Suggestions for trees can be sent to the progress association via email at [email protected] . The Blue Tree Project website is bluetreeproject.com.au . If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14 and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.