Deakin's Blue Trees highlight the need to talk about mental health

Deakin is the first University in Victoria to take part in the Blue Tree Project founded with a mission to start difficult conversations and encourage people to connect with friends who may be struggling.

The blue trees at Waurn Ponds Campus were officially 'unveiled' on 1 October to mark the start of Mental Health Month with a special 'tree-painting' event held to give the trees their final coat of paint in the colour Blue Tree, named for the Blue Tree Project.

Executive Director of Student Services Rebecca Bone said the Blue Tree Project acknowledges increasing levels of mental ill health, isolation and loneliness not just within Deakin's community of students and staff, but the wider community more generally.

'Blue trees are now dotted all over the globe as visual reminders that we are not alone in our struggles, and that we all need to reach out to those around us and start important conversations about mental health,' Ms Bone said.

'The trees we have used at the Waurn Ponds campus had died of natural causes and we thought joining the Blue Tree Project would be a great way to encourage people to start a conversation as well as a visual reminder for people to speak up about mental health difficulties.

'This initiative supports Deakin's Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Student Health Promotion Plan and overall commitment to staff health, safety and wellbeing.'