How painting a tree blue might improve wellbeing in Murray Bridge

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A conversation can save a life.

So says Cathy Smith, chair of the Murray Bridge Suicide Prevention Network.

The first step towards getting the help you need is telling someone what you’re going through.

Ms Smith and a group of locals hope to start some of those conversations next Tuesday by doing something strange but simple.

They’re going to paint a tree blue.

They invite you to join in.

Volunteers will get together at the southern end of Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge at 10am next Tuesday to paint the chosen tree.

Murray Bridge Wellbeing Hub’s Bridgette Syrus encouraged everyone to come along, and to wear something blue if they had it handy.

“Together, our community can ignite meaningful conversations and dismantle the stigma often associated with mental health issues,” she said.

Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley hoped the unusual sight would get tongues wagging.

“You never know where a simple conversation can lead,” he said.

“We want to continue the mission of the Blue Tree Project, to raise mental health awareness, and hope this initiative encourages the community to begin that conversation.”

What is the Blue Tree Project?

The first blue tree was in Mukinbudin, a tiny community in Western Australia’s wheat belt; young men Jayden Whyte and Tjarda Tiedeken painted it as a prank.

Over the next four years, Jayden experienced mental health challenges, and in 2018 he died by suicide.

The story of the blue tree was told at his funeral, and from there a movement sprang up, painting trees blue all over Australia, not just in memory of a young life ended too soon but to remind people to be mindful of their own wellbeing, and the wellbeing of those around them.

There’s a blue tree on the grounds of Murray Bridge High School, thanks to five former students who finished year 12 last year.

“We are trying to raise awareness and start important conversations about mental health, which is an issue we believe affects everyone,” the students said on the school’s Facebook page when they painted the tree.

“This tree is located near Swanport Road, at the end of the oval.

“We hope that it sparks conversations and encourages you to access support if and when you need it.”

Among the statistics the students shared from support organisation Beyond Blue:

• Half of all mental health conditions emerged by the age of 14
• More than 75 per cent occurred by the age of 25
• Just 13% of young males, and 31% of young females, sought help

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

How does the Murraylands rate when it comes to wellbeing?

The blue tree project comes in the wake of a new report which suggested wellbeing was lower in the Murray Bridge district than other parts of Australia.

Murray Bridge ranked 428th out of 518 local government areas around Australia in a cities and regions wellbeing index published by SGS Economics and Planning on Tuesday.

The district had an above-average “equality and community” score – an indicator of work-life balance, volunteer rates, income equality, the gender divide and Indigenous employment.

However, Murray Bridge scored just one out of 10 for overall income levels, and three for employment and education.

The Coorong fared a bit better: it was ranked 341 in the nation, with high scores for housing and the environment.

Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills made the top 150; Alexandrina and Karoonda East Murray had middling results; and the Mid Murray district showed up in the bottom 50.

Lead author Julian Szafraniec said the index was intended to help decision-makers understand how communities were going based on something more meaningful than dollars and cents.

“We’re at a time in history when traditional measures of growth and success, such as (gross domestic product), don’t make sense anymore,” he said.

“We need to focus on measuring what matters.”

• Get help: Talk to your GP; call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800; for those aged 12-25, visit Headspace Murray Bridge at 10 Second Street; or, in an emergency, call 000.
• More information: Contact Bridgette Syrus at wellbeinghub@mbcci.org.au or on 0468 640 800, or visit bluetreeproject.com.au.
• View the wellbeing index: app.powerbi.com/view.

Disclosure: The author is chair of Murray Bridge Community Centre, which jointly operates the wellbeing hub.

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