Mental health messages shared

Bright new displays to colour community with hope

Positivity has gone on permanent display at three locations across the City of Logan during Queensland Mental Health Week.

A perky new paint job featuring messages of hope has been unveiled on a public staircase in Meadowbrook, while in Cedar Grove and Logan Reserve, two trees are now standing ready to help people feel a bit less blue.

The trees, located at Loganview Park and at the Cedar Grove Environmental Centre, have been painted bright blue in support of the Blue Tree Project – an Australian social movement founded in 2019 to raise awareness of mental health.

The trees also feature the bright white handprints of community members who helped welcome the trees this week.

City of Logan residents have also added their positive vibes to Meadowbrook’s new ‘Hope Stairs’ on Loganlea Road.

Inspirational messages contributed via Council’s Have Your Say website in September have been painted on the steps to spark hope and help raise awareness of mental health concerns including suicide.

The project is the result of ongoing conversations between Logan City Council, and The Solitude Project, a Queensland-based “lived experience” organisation with a history of supporting and promoting good mental health in the City of Logan.

Economic Development Chair, Councillor Jon Raven said both projects would serve as important reminders to City of Logan residents to continue supporting each other.

“Our community is at its best when we work together to help those who may be struggling,” Cr Raven said.

“It is our hope that even in our busy lives, these eye-catching new artworks will encourage people to stop, and take stock of the things that really matter.”

City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Tony Hall said the bold new mental health reminders would be hard to miss.

“As the saying goes, sometimes a fresh lick of paint is all you need to spruce things up,” Cr Hall said.

“These brilliant new paint jobs will brighten our communities while also reminding everyone that nothing is quite as bleak as it seems.”

Queensland Mental Health Week runs from October 7 to 15.

This year’s theme is ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’, in recognition of the main factors that contribute to positive mental health and wellbeing.