Blue Tree Project Regional WA Tour
When I reflect on my involvement on the Blue Tree Project WA Regional Tour I feel nothing but pride in what we achieved together.
To be invited to join the tour and then share the journey with Kendall Whyte and Cassidy Chapman is something I will treasure both professionally and personally.
Western Australia is such a large state, the challenges faced by communities can be quite unique, depending on the industries within those communities, and the impact of climatic and disaster related events.
One thing all communities have in common is dealing with isolation and the tyranny of distance when seeking help with the mental health.
Taking the Tour to the people was one of the factors that made the tour a success. Meeting with communities on their own turf, sharing stories and information in an environment where they felt comfortable was key to the great connection we shared with the people we met along the way.
“Engaging the whole community breaks down the stigma around mental health and inspires cross generational conversations”
Another key success driver of the tour was the diverse range of ways we delivered our messages and information. Variety of delivery gave communities we visited different opportunities to connect and engage. This approach truly fulfilled my mission of creating awareness and education around mental health and wellbeing in rural, regional, and remote communities, inspiring conversations, and empowering people to seek help in a safe environment free from stigma.
The lasting legacy of the regional tour will be the Mental Health First Aid training that was delivered recently. This training will empower individuals with knowledge and tools to become gate keepers of their communities. This training will help support the communities at a grassroots level, filling the shortfall of professional services on the ground.
Finally, the opportunity to collaborate with the Kendall, Cass and Blue Tree Project, share knowledge, resources, and support each other through some confronting conversations encountered along the way, was a highlight.
We can achieve more when we work together towards a common goal.