The Blue Tree Project is about bringing people together, but two South Australian councils are now at odds with their respective communities in relation to the mental health awareness initiative.

Key points: The Blue Tree Project is a mental health awareness initiative started in 2018 by Kendall Whyte after her brother, Jayden, took his own life

The Blue Tree Project is a mental health awareness initiative started in 2018 by Kendall Whyte after her brother, Jayden, took his own life Controversy was sparked in Loxton and Coffin Bay after trees were painted blue without prior approval of either local council

Controversy was sparked in Loxton and Coffin Bay after trees were painted blue without prior approval of either local council Both councils say they support the project but are yet to decide the fate of the painted trees

The project started in 2018 in Western Australia, and more than 400 trees have since been painted across the country and overseas, in support of the mental health awareness program.

The message recently reached Loxton in South Australia's Riverland, and Coffin Bay on the state's Eyre Peninsula.

However, the trees, in these towns, were painted without prior approval and the Loxton Waikerie Council and the Lower Eyre Peninsula Council are now investigating ways for the paint to be removed.

Neither have ruled out cutting down the trees completely.

The original blue tree was painted back in 2014 by Jayden Whyte on his family farm in Mukinbudin. ( Supplied: Kendall Whyte )

Tree sparks community conversation

The project's guidelines require painters to only colour dead trees and to use non-toxic paint to prevent any impact on the environment.

A Coffin Bay resident said while she understood permission had not been granted for the trees to be painted, the tree wasn't causing any harm.

Instead, Kerryn McEwan said it was doing good for her seaside community, and had helped raise awareness of mental illness and suicide.

"On the Coffin Bay Community Noticeboard on Facebook, someone said, 'What's this ugly tree?' And then there was quite a bit of comment about what exactly the Blue Tree Project is about," she said.

"The first person who made the conversation, that said it was ugly, then said, 'Yeah, yeah, I get it, let's leave it — what a great thing'.

One Facebook commenter said the Coffin Bay tree sparked a family conversation about mental health. ( Supplied: Kerryn McEwan )

Ms McEwan said one of the comments she loved was from someone who wrote, "I drove past and the kids said, 'What's that for?' And then that started the conversation [with the kids] that it's OK to not be OK".

"The people who painted it might not have sought proper approval to do it from council, which is unfortunate, but it would be terrible to have it go now that it has promoted so much discussion already," Ms McEwan said.

Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council chief executive Rod Pearson said the fate of the tree was not yet decided.

"Council staff are working through the issue and have not determined what will happen to the blue tree," he said.

"Community feedback has been received for and against the tree being removed."

A symbol of support for regional people

More than 200 Riverland community members shared their support for the Loxton tree on the ABC Riverland's Facebook page.

The comments included individuals sharing their personal experiences and challenges with mental illness, while others shared personal stories of friends and family dying by suicide.

The Loxton blue tree is visible from the town's riverfront. ( ABC Riverland: Meg Vonic-Joyce )

Overwhelmingly, many of the comments in support of the tree reflected that these types of awareness initiatives were key for regional communities, like Loxton.

"Come on council members, while the Riverland is starting to pop with playgrounds, school holidays adventures for the kids and the whole family, art shows, nature adventures, [there's] a lot of people doing it tough," one Facebook comment said.

"[There's a] lack of water, high prices for water, a lack of jobs and [people who are] looking after ageing parents.

"Just seeing a blue tree may be all you need to realise that others are out there feeling something like you are and it's OK.

"Don't touch that tree because that may be what saves a life or a family's life."

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's 2019 figures show suicide is one of the top-10 leading cause of death in outer regional, remote and very remote areas, and people living in these areas are twice as likely to die from suicide when compared with the rest of the country.

Loxton Waikerie Council chief executive David Beaton said the person or people who painted the tree had shown arrogance and made a controversy out of an issue that should be bringing the community together.

"It has embarrassed the organisers of the blue trees across Australia because it is not how they wish to be promoted in the community," he said.

"The person or persons who have painted the tree have decided where a blue tree should be and not the community.

"We have missed the community debate and celebration and acknowledgement of what these trees signify. These trees are usually on main roads as a reminder to passing motorists, but not in Loxton because that discussion has never been held.

"The attempt to portray the Council as against this type of promotion is false and doesn't reflect the support that it has shown previously to mental health and suicide and discussions it was having regarding the erection of a "blue tree" in its area.

"This has been a deliberate act by adults, not graffiti with a spare can. I look forward to find out the identify of the person or persons who painted the tree to issue a fine under council by-laws, as is my obligation."

Sending a concerning message

Blue Tree Project founder and chief executive Kendall Whyte said the initiative started after her brother, Jayden, took his own life.

She said she was concerned about what type of message removing a blue tree might send.

Kendall Whyte says she's determined to spread awareness of mental health following the death of her brother. ( ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim )

"Obviously there's been a group or someone who's felt there's a need for this tree in the community," she said.

"I would urge the Council to reconsider, or maybe they can find an alternative elsewhere.

"It would be a shame to see the tree cut down because it sends a strong message that maybe the community isn't a safe space for some people and that's a really sad thought.

"So, hopefully there are services and other things that they can do to support people struggling with mental health concerns in the community."