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Our Why
For young people aged 15 to 24, suicide is the leading cause of death.
There is an increase in the number of young people reporting feelings of loneliness and isolation. 54 per cent of young people lacked companionship, 47 per cent felt left out and 43 per cent felt isolated. The pandemic and enforced lockdowns have limited opportunities for close and meaningful connection, an important protective factor for good mental health. This is especially the case for young people, many of whom have been physically separated from their support networks at an important time in their personal development.
With two in every five young people experiencing mental ill-health according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, it’s more important than ever that we support young people to stay connected with the people and things that make them feel happy and healthy.
Connecting with others gives us a sense of belonging and can improve our mental health and wellbeing… That’s why we started the Blue Leaf Initiative.
The concept
The Blue Leaf Initiative was inspired by the Blue Tree Project, which originated from the vision of Kendall after the tragic loss of her brother, Jayden Whyte, to suicide in 2018. In response, Kendall founded the Blue Tree Project to revolutionise conversations about mental health. The blue trees serve as poignant symbols encouraging dialogue and support, ultimately saving lives by prompting us to check in on those who may be struggling.
The Blue Leaf Initiative aims to enhance these efforts by adding leaves to these symbolic trees. While the trees serve as a reminder to check in on our friends, our leaves serve to extend this support by providing opportunities for connection, education and empowerment. Our mission includes fostering social connections, linking young people to local resources, providing education and training, and amplifying youth voices in the battle against suicide.
We thank Kendall and the Blue Tree Project for their remarkable contributions to mental health awareness and their collaboration and support of The Blue Leaf Initiative.
Meet the team
Bec is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive space for young people. With a background in Health Promotion and current studies in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Bec brings a passion for youth inclusion and mental health support. Bec is the 2023 Mission Australia Regional Youth Worker of the Year. She leads our team in delivering engaging programs that empower young individuals to build resilience, gain life skills, and connect meaningfully with their peers.
Sara supports the Blue Leaf Initiative with all things marketing, communications and support. She has a Bachelors in Marketing and Communications and recently started a diploma in Counselling with a focus on mental health. Sara’s completed SafeTALK and Mental Health First Aid trainings, sparking a real passion for youth mental health, especially around prevention and connection. Sara works part-time, and when she’s not studying, she’s at the beach with her kids or hanging with her beloved dog and chooks.
As CEO for Investing In Our Youth Nicky provides oversight for the Blue Leaf team. Nicky has a wealth of experience in the community services sector particularly in the areas of youth, suicide prevention and mental health. Nicky has a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) from Edith Cowan University and 35 years’ experience working in the Bunbury and South West region. Nicky is also a safeTALK trainer. She lives in Dalyellup and teaches yoga and meditation
Leilani, one of our youth workers at Blue Leaf, combines her skills in adaptability and a passion for learning to ensure our young adults feel listened to and heard. Currently studying nursing, she brings a caring and practical approach to her work. Leilani creates supportive environments for youth to grow and thrive, making her a valued member of our team.
Bronte is a passionate youth worker and researcher-activist completing her PhD in Climate Justice at Edith Cowan University. With a background in public health and biomedical science, Bronte weaves her knowledge of health and wellbeing with social justice. Her commitment to climate justice drives her efforts to empower young people on eco-social issues while protecting community and Country.
Jen is a dedicated psychologist with a passion for supporting young people. With extensive experience working in schools, she understands the unique challenges and opportunities supporting youth. As a mum and South West local, Jen combines her professional expertise with a personal investment in the wellbeing of her community. At Investing in Our Youth, Jen plays a pivotal role as the facilitator for our Youth Mental Health First Aid courses. Her comprehensive knowledge and empathetic approach make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Our Supporters
Thank you to the following organisations for their support:
Anything from websites, 3d animations/visualizations to mobile applications.
Emerge supports Investing In Our Youth with all their computer and IT requirements. More recently, they donated a sum of money towards the Blue Leaf Initiative, to support our community engagement and mental health training. Thank you Emerge!
Blue Leaf Initiative was the recipient of Synergy’s 2024 Collie Small Grants Program!
With the generous funding from Synergy, we are excited to bring the young people of Collie social connection and support systems.
Blue Leaf Initiative was a successful recipient of Southern Ports Community Investment Program. This grant will focus on the Youth Empower pillar and contribute to funding a co-designed Youth Suicide Prevention Forum in Bunbury.
Albemarle awarded Blue Leaf Initiative funds as part of their Community Investment Grants. This grant will enable Blue Leaf to host group activities on a range of interests to reduce loneliness and increase social connections such as art workshops, book club, and games night.
