Blue Tree Project plants conversations about mental health in Wooster
Wooster is now home to a new visual reminder of the importance of mental health. Residents have launched the Blue Tree Project, an international movement that turns trees into symbols of hope and suicide prevention. This marks the first time the initiative has been established in Ohio. The project originated in Western Australia in 2019 following the death of Jayden Whyte, turning a once-humorous prank into a serious tool for advocacy.
Barb and Scott Friedhoff led the charge to bring the project to their community after encountering the blue trees during their travels in Australia. Their goal is to encourage open discussions about mental health struggles. With support from a grassroots committee and several local organizations, the project was established using dead trees already marked for removal to ensure minimal environmental impact.
You can find these blue trees at 746 Quinby Ave. and at the southwest corner of Oak Hill Park. Each location features signage with QR codes that link directly to vital mental health resources. Smaller desktop versions of these displays are also appearing in local businesses, houses of worship, and various community organizations to keep the message accessible throughout the city.
The initiative gathered broad support from local partners, including the Wayne-Holmes Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Romich Foundation, and local retailers. By choosing to paint trees that were already scheduled to be cut down, the organizers kept the focus strictly on the message of support. This effort serves as a permanent, public signal that help is available and that conversations regarding mental well-being are necessary in daily life.
For those interested in learning more or participating in local efforts, the project maintains an online presence for updates. Residents are encouraged to visit the sites to understand the resources available to them. This project shows how a simple visual change in the landscape can serve as a conduit for community connection and life-saving information.