Blue Tree at Gracehaven Residential Care
Its OK to be blue say Rockingham seniors. Gracehaven Residential Care join the national Blue Tree Project and bring awareness to mental health.
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05 May 2022
News
| Home Care, Aged Care Homes
It's OK to be blue say Rockingham seniors. Gracehaven Residential Care join the national Blue Tree Project and bring awareness to mental health.
Seniors at Baptistcare Gracehaven Residential Care in Rockingham believe there needs to be more conversations about mental health.
So, they’ve used a can of bright paint and a dead tree to create a powerful talking point in their much-loved garden and help spread the word that it’s ‘OK not to be OK’.
The residents’ new blue tree is part of the national Blue Tree Project which is designed to spark difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns.
While many schools and community groups across Australia have painted trees, Baptistcare Gracehaven is one of only a few aged care facilities to get behind the awareness raising campaign.
It was spotting a blue tree on a drive to Dunsborough that prompted Chaplain Rob Mason to research the significance behind taking a paint brush to dead trees.
“After my weekend away I walked past a dead tree in our Gracehaven garden and suddenly thought we should join the Blue Tree Project,” he said.
“I spoke to staff and residents, and everyone loved the idea of giving the tree a second life as a symbol for breaking the stigma associated with mental health.”
Steve French (69) and Richard Grigson (83) have both experienced ‘blue days’ at different stages in their lives and feel being able to talk to others and seek support is vital.
They were happy to put on some overalls and give Rob a hand to paint the tree in the Blue Tree Project’s signature hue.
“We are proud to contribute tree number 688 to the national project,” said Rob.
“It is definitely a conversation starter and a reminder that maintaining positive mental health is important at every age,” said Rob.
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