User:JulieMay54/sandbox/bluetree

= The Blue Tree Project = The Blue Tree Project is an Australian project established to promote discussion around mental health issues and to encourage people battling mental health problems to speak to others.

Origins
The original blue tree was painted by two friends, Jayden Whyte and Tjarda Tiedeken, as a joke aimed at Jayden's father in February 2014 on their farm in The project grew out of a wave of  response when Jayden took his own life and Tjarda told story of the tree at his funeral on 23 November 2019.

Jayden Whyte's family did not know the extent of his depression. He presented to the local hospital twice in one day fearing self harm and was released both times. His second release led to his death.

Jayden's father suggested they paint another tree in his honour and to remind others to check in on family and friends. On Christmas Eve 2019, Jayden's cousin and a friend painted another tree on a property in Mukinbudin, Western Australia. They posted photos and the story on FaceBook and the stroy went viral leading to the establishment of the Blue Tree Project. ---https://indd.adobe.com/view/5c54f767-d54b-4b80-bac3-017b0b75d92c

The blue trees aim to highlight both the problems that need addressing in the health system and to encourage those suffering mental health issues to speak up.

Trees
At November 2020, 604 trees have been painted around Australia and in New Zealand, the USA, Germany and the United Kingdom.