Leanne HS
Blue Tree Project Australia
One of the many blue painted trees that have been popping up across the vast Australian landscape. What is now an international movement began one night in 2014 when friends Jayden Whyte and Tjarda Tiedeken snuck out and painted a tree blue on Jayden’s family farm in Mukinbudin. The tree was painted out of love, mischief and friendship, and Jayden wondered how his dad would react when he saw it.
Jayden was a young man with a promising future ahead of him. He was deeply loved, admired and respected by his family and many friends. However, like many others, Jayden experienced mental health challenges and was not supported by the mental health system where he actively sought assistance. In 2018, Jayden died by suicide.
The story of Jayden’s blue tree was told at his funeral, and from there his friends, family and strangers have started a social movement to raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage people to have conversations with their loved ones.
Blue Tree Project Australia
One of the many blue painted trees that have been popping up across the vast Australian landscape. What is now an international movement began one night in 2014 when friends Jayden Whyte and Tjarda Tiedeken snuck out and painted a tree blue on Jayden’s family farm in Mukinbudin. The tree was painted out of love, mischief and friendship, and Jayden wondered how his dad would react when he saw it.
Jayden was a young man with a promising future ahead of him. He was deeply loved, admired and respected by his family and many friends. However, like many others, Jayden experienced mental health challenges and was not supported by the mental health system where he actively sought assistance. In 2018, Jayden died by suicide.
The story of Jayden’s blue tree was told at his funeral, and from there his friends, family and strangers have started a social movement to raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage people to have conversations with their loved ones.