Kendall Whyte’s mission to spark more conversations about mental health started after she lost her brother Jayden to suicide in 2018.

It was at his funeral that her brother’s prank of painting a tree blue was recounted, inspiring WA’s 2021 Young Australian of the Year to found the Blue Tree Project, which breaks down the stigma of mental health and paints blue hundreds of trees that are now seen across WA, and the world.

This week’s ‘West Aussie Great’ told 6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker how her role has helped raise difficult conversations around mental health.

“There are over 800 symbols of hope dotted around the nation and other parts of the world, a reminder for people to check on their loved ones who might be going through a rough time,” Whyte told Parker.

Press PLAY below to hear about Kendall Whyte and her Blue Tree Project