Dolphins dive for mental health

Backed by South32 and Deloitte, brightly coloured sculptures of dolphins have begun cropping up across the streets of Perth as part of a public art exhibition for mental health.

The Big Splash WA will officially launch on Saturday with the 36 sculptures in place, forming a trail that will take people across the city from Council House to Forrest Chase.

The sculpture trail is intended to spark a conversation with children about mental health, given dolphins are social animals and have been reportedly said to suffer from depression.

Funds raised from auctioning off the artworks following the event will be put towards the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit at Perth Children’s Hospital.

PCHF chief executive Carrick Robinson said mental health issues in children and young people often went unrecognised.

“Clinical experts are telling us that early intervention is critical, which is why Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation has joined forces with clinical experts from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service to create The Big Splash WA,” she said.

The dolphins have been painted by a number of WA artists, including artist and school teacher Claire Davenhall, Matt McLarty, Jennifer Sulaj, Merise Seko, Alister Yiap, Susan Joy Lu and Rachael Lemon.

The trail will run until March 4.

Other sponsors include: Western Power, Big W, City of Perth, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and Rowley Foundation.