Advocates hope that a bright blue tree in a Sydney park will start conversations about mental health and also remind people to check in on their loved ones
Randwick residents walking through Nagle Park recently were greeted with an unusual sight: a bright blue tree standing on the southern side, close to South Sydney High School.
The tree is an initiative of the Blue Tree Project, the Man Walk Maroubra and the Randwick City Council.
And these groups hope that this bold visual statement will spark conversations about mental health and help break the stigma that often surrounds it.
The blue trees
Randwick’s blue tree is part of the national Blue Tree Project. The mental health charity began in 2019 after Jayden Whyte, a 29-year-old West Australian man, took his own life.
The trees’ signature colour was inspired by a prank Jayden and his friends once pulled, painting a dead paddock tree bright blue.
Yet what started as a grassroots movement in regional WA has grown into a national campaign, with over 1,400 blue treesregistered across Australia and overseas.
Today, the blue trees represent the project’s key message: "It is ok not to be ok".
And along with starting conversations about mental health, organisers hope the trees serve as reminders for people to check in on loved ones.
Walking for mental health
Randwick mayor Dylan Parker said the initiative was brought to the council’s attention by local Blue Tree Project supporters.
This included the Maroubra chapter of the Man Walk, a group that promotes connection and aims to reduce social isolation among men through weekly walks. One of the Man Walk’s organisers, Wayne Evans, explained that the group offers men an opportunity to exercise, to talk and to support each other.
He said the group has helped those who’ve retired from work to find new friendships outside of work and community connections.
Wayne first learned about the Blue Tree project while on a camper van trip through Western Australia. He wanted to bring it to Randwick via the Man Walk, seeing a clear alignment in their respective mental health missions.
Mayor Parker said the council is committed to supporting community wellbeing and health.
"We recognise that mental health challenges affect many people and stigma can often prevent individuals from seeking the help they need," he said.
"We’re endorsing the Blue Tree Project to help break down this barrier and encourage open, honest conversations about mental health."
Wayne hopes the location of the blue tree across from a school will also help those feeling isolated and bullied to get the necessary help.
Signage around the tree will direct people to culturally appropriate and accessible mental health support services.
Rising mental health issues
The council hopes small symbols like a painted tree can make a powerful difference.
According to the 2021 census, more than 6 per cent of Randwick residents reported a long-term mental health condition.
These conditions can affect cognitive, emotional and social functioning and may occur as single instances, episodic struggles or chronic challenges. In some cases, mental health distress is associated with self-harm or suicide.
This is part of a wider picture of mental health in Australia. Healthstats NSW reports that one in five Australians, aged over 16, will experience mental health issues each year, and 45 per cent will do so at some point in their lives. The impact extends beyond individuals to their carers, family members, friends and communities.
In 2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 3,307 confirmed deaths by suicide nationwide, with 935 occurring in New South Wales. Some groups are disproportionately affected, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the LGBTIQ+ community.
Three-quarters of people who died by suicide lived in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, showing that suicide rates are a particular concern in Australia's most populous states.
Mayor Parker said the Randwick council organises many events that promote connection and wellbeing including regular social activities at libraries and targeted mental health workshops for vulnerable groups.
This has been a long-time community priority. Since 2022, the council has compiled resource guides, hosted a Mental Health expo, partnered with Man Anchoron various programs, and developed the Disability Action Plan.
The council also plans to develop a youth plan addressing mental wellbeing, and integrating mental health projects into its grants program.
More needed for greater awareness
While the Blue Tree project sends a powerful message, it cannot shift stigma on its own.
"We’ve had a problem with young men and suicide in our community unfortunately," Matt Thistlethwaite, the Randwick MP, said at the official tree dedication.
"We need to do a lot more in our community to try and get young men to talk about problems and issues, and this is a great way to do that," he added.
"[The] beauty of having the blue tree here in this park is that it's used by school kids to train and on the weekend, it's used for rugby union.
"Plenty of people using this will look at this tree and wonder what’s this about and get people talking about mental health."
Benjamin*, who has lived experience with mental health challenges, supported the Randwick initiative but suggested broader programs alongside it.
These could include hosting monthly speaker sessions on specific conditions, awareness pamphlets, a mental health activity week, and stronger collaboration with schools, NGOs, health services, and the NDIS to help address service gaps and delays.
There's also a range of mental health awareness efforts, like the Man Walk, that use fitness to promote mental wellbeing dialogues. These include Walk It Off Australia and Touring Old Farts.
And while their methods differ, these initiatives share a common goal: ensuring no one suffers in silence.
Randwick’s blue tree will join others across the country as a reminder that vulnerability and strength can coexist. The hope is that passersby will feel encouraged to reach out, whether for themselves or someone they know.
Whether through bold visual statements, stronger support services or community initiatives that bring people together, everyone has a part to play in ensuring open dialogue about mental health is part of daily life, and that those who are suffering get the help they need.
*name has been changed
