Knitting with a mental health message

In an effort to break the stigma of mental illness, the art of yarnbombing will wrap Goddard Street's trees this Mental Health Week.

Rockingham headspace Youth Reference Group members have been busy decorating the trees thanks to donated patches of brightly coloured knitting from students, parents, aged-care centres and community members.

YRG member Glenn Hatwell said in addition to dressing the trees in knitwear, the group had been creating messages and busting myths about mental health, such as that mental illness is the result of bad parenting.

"Knitting is proven to be a relaxing technique which is good for mental health," he said.

YRG facilitator and headspace community worker Kirstin Janes hoped the art would get people talking because the week was "not just about young people but the whole community".

She encouraged people to attend its morning tea on Wednesday among the trees.

At the end of the week the knitted creations will be donated to City of Rockingham for its blankets for the homeless project.