This week, St John's College senior students from Moore House have been hard at work, raising awareness around the importance of mental health and reaching out for help.
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The students chose to support the Blue Tree Project as a lead up to a significant fundraising day in support of Beyond Blue, raising more than $800.
Jayden Whyte inspired the Blue Tree Project after he'd painted a tree blue on his parent's farm as a prank on his father.
Sadly Jayden took his life in November 2018, but he left behind the legacy of the Blue Tree Project.
The students from St John's spent their lunchtime over the past week, transforming a neglected tree stump in the school into a colourful and vibrant conversation starter.
House captains involved in the Moore House Community Service Project were Ali Ridha and Jess Ryan.
"Painting the tree was an enlightening experience, and the final result made all the hard work we put in worth it," Mr Ridha said.
"The tree will serve as an everlasting memento that will remind everyone of the struggles of mental health and will spread awareness for it."
The students aim for the tree to serve as a visual reminder that many people within our community experience mental health challenges and that it is up to us as a community to speak about this issue and support friends and peers.
Students were invited to contribute to the painting and to discuss its symbolism.
The blue tree will remain at the centre of a playground area and will become a student wellbeing space with games, activities and seating for students to come together and connect in fun and conversation.
In addition to the Blue Tree Project, students held a bake sale, a lolly raffle and a planking competition. Senior students handed junior students snow cone cups with stickers attached reading, "It's perfectly okay to admit that you're not perfectly okay".
"We believe that mental health significantly impacts the wellbeing of not only adults in society, but school children and teenagers," Miss Ryan said.
"From personal experience watching family and friends go through tough times and realising how vital positive mental health is in creating a happy life, only encouraged us, even more, to show awareness, reduce the stigma surrounding this issue in our school environment and support the work of this wonderful cause.
"It was great to see the students taking part in this cause by purchasing goodies from the bake sale and lolly bag competition during recess.
"As well as taking part in a physical challenge during lunch- a plank competition to win a canteen voucher, and singing along to music for DJ Friday.
"We not only raised $803 for Beyond Blue, but our sense of school community was also enhanced, as we all came together.
"The blue tree will become a lasting reminder to kids who walk through our school grounds, that it is okay not to be okay."
More information about the Blue Tree Project may be found at https://www.bluetreeproject.com.au/
If you need immediate assistance or support, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.