THEY are some of the most difficult topics for people to talk about, but one race team is tackling mental health issues and suicide head-on at this weekend's Bathurst 6 Hour.
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Spartan 1 Motorsport is using its entry into the endurance race to raise awareness for the Blue Tree Project, an Australian suicide prevention charity.
The team unveiled its HSV Commodore at the National Motor Racing Museum's Peter Brock memorial on Thursday alongside a blue tree, the symbol for the charity.
The West Australian-born initiative invites communities and individuals to paint dead trees blue to encourage and give people the confidence to openly discuss mental health issues.
It was started after 29-year-old Jayden Whyte, who painted a tree blue as a prank on his father, took his own life in 2018.
Team owner, Dee Pittman-White, said that Spartan 1 Motorsport is very passionate about mental health and suicide prevention, having sadly experienced these issues first-hand.
It's connection to The Blue Tree project was actually what attracted the team's major sponsor.
"Our major sponsor, Perseverance Drilling, they actually lost three of their close friends and staff members, so when they came on board they came on board because we were raising awareness for Blue Tree," Ms Pittman-White said.
"If you look on [the car], there's three names on the bonnet. They're actually the three mates that they lost, so they ride with the team all the time."
It is hoped that having the car out on track with its eye-catching livery will spark a very important conversation, particularly among men.
"Bathurst is one of those tracks that all men, whether they are into cars or not, they know Mount Panorama. They've grown up with family members that have been here, have competed, have watched races with legends like Peter Brock, so that's why we thought this was our opportunity to showcase something that's such an important cause," Ms Pittman-White said.
The entry will be driven by Craig Baird, Scott Cameron and Steve Pittman.
In addition to raising awareness, Spartan 1 Motorsport donates 10 per cent from each of its sponsorships to the Blue Tree Project and will have donation tins out at the 6 Hour to help raise additional funds.
Ms Pittman-White, who has been in the darkest of places herself, is also inviting people to start a conversation with her.
"We're here to have a chat, come and see me, have a chat with me," she said.
"I've been through it, I'm a survivor, I was at that point of taking my life."
Mayor Bobby Bourke, who joined in the unveiling of the car, is planning to involve Bathurst in the Blue Tree Project as well.
He hopes to have a dead tree on Mount Panorama painted blue as a permanent reminder to talk about mental health.
"I'm looking forward to getting a tree somewhere on Mount Panorama-Wahluu, a tree that is already dead, and getting some community members to paint it blue and just highlight the good work that this project is doing about suicide," Cr Bourke said.
"I'd like to have it done in the next six or seven weeks."
In addition to that, he would like to start a tradition of having race drivers sign potted trees, which can be auctioned off at major race meetings.
The money would then be donated to The Blue Tree Project.
"If we just get one person to think again before they go down that line, it's well worth it," Cr Bourke said.
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