The foyer of Rio Tinto’s Perth Operations Centre recently hosted the Embrace healing tree in recognition of Mental Health Week.
Embrace staff visited the centre to talk to staff about their social and emotional wellbeing, encouraging people to reflect on their own mental health and the steps they take to support it.
Staff decorated the tree by painting wooden leaves, displaying positive messages about wellbeing on the opposite side.
Staff used paint pens to write their reflections and hone their art skills on the leaves, while also taking the time to share positive stories with each other and connect over a sweet treat.
A Rio Tinto staff member decorates a leaf to hang on the healing tree
“Talk, listen. Open your arms and your ears”, “you’re braver than you know”, and “barefoot walk on grass and walk at river shore at sunset” were some of the messages left on the leaves by staff.
The tree is part of a wider project currently under development that is seeking to broaden trauma-informed models of care and identify practical ways to improve support for children and their families in hospital.
Embrace is supported by principal partner Rio Tinto and Channel 7 Telethon Trust.