"It's OK not to be OK". Kendall Whyte from the Blue Tree Project will be sharing the touching story behind the mental health campaign.

The Blue Tree Project – Mental Health Awareness is our October speaker meeting, and during Mental Health month, we will be hosting Kendall Whyte from The Bluetree Project, where we will hear about the BlueTree Project and the touching story behind it.

Mental Health is an issue that touches many in our community and an incredibly important topic to discuss in the open.Kendall Whyte is a 26-year-old woman who grew up in the country town of Mukinbudin, Western Australia. After losing her brother Jayden to suicide in November 2018, Kendall helped create the 'Blue Tree Project'.The 'Blue Tree Project' is inspired by a story shared at Jayden's funeral after he painted a tree blue on his family farm one night in 2014. He wondered just how long it would be before anyone noticed the deep blue tree on the horizon. The tree now holding a whole new meaning, was once painted with a special friend out of love, mischief and friendship.Beginning as a grass-roots campaign the ‘Blue Tree Project’ has flourished into a not-for-profit making an impact. Their mission is to help spark difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns by painting dead trees blue. By spreading the paint and spreading the message that "it's OK not to be OK", they are helping break down the stigma that's still largely attached to mental health.In less than six months, the 'Blue Tree Project' is making waves and reaching people all over Australia, even as far as the UK. The message has been shared through social media, local and state newspapers, and on Channel 7's Today Tonight program. Kendall was also nominated a finalist for 'West Australian of the Year' (youth category) in 2019 for her work with the project.In a time when most people would grieve the loss of a loved one, Kendall has put the needs of others before herself. Her selflessness and compassion have inspired people to speak openly and honestly about mental health issues, promoting the important message that, "It's OK not to be OK"