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Blue Tree inspires mental health awareness at school

Pierra WillixSound Telegraph
Bunnings activity organiser Kim Villa, Safety Bay Primary School teacher Cherie Devine and Lifeline WA advocate Sharon Young with students Malachy Greening, Eka Vervaet and Phoebe Park.
Camera IconBunnings activity organiser Kim Villa, Safety Bay Primary School teacher Cherie Devine and Lifeline WA advocate Sharon Young with students Malachy Greening, Eka Vervaet and Phoebe Park. Credit: Pierra Willix

Conversations on mental wellbeing were on the agenda for students at Safety Bay Primary School, who marked R U OK Day last week with the unveiling of the school’s own Blue Tree Project.

The school’s Wellness Team, consisting of Kylie Grove, Lauren Milne and Cherie Devine, has been working to promote a healthy mindset for students and staff.

The Blue Tree Project encourages people to choose a dead tree that needs a “blue lease on life” and paint it in memory of a friend who lost their life to depression or had battled the illness.

Working alongside Bunnings and the Men’s Shed, the school last week had its own blue tree installed, hoping to spur students, staff and parents to talk about mental health.

“The garden is in the middle of the school and is about creating conversations,” Ms Devine said.

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Lifeline WA advocate Sharon Young said it was essential to start conversations on the topic with young children.

“There are so many services available if they need them and they need to know it’s OK to ask for help if they need it,” she said.

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