The Yellow Bench Project is led by Richmind WA, Western Australia’s largest mental health service provider. Every day, we support Western Australians experiencing mental health challenges, recovery journeys and social isolation. Through the Yellow Bench Project, we are extending that commitment beyond formal services and into the places where people live, work and connect.
The Yellow Bench Project is placing visible yellow benches across Western Australia as a simple invitation to sit, talk and connect.
Nearly 1 in 2 Western Australians have experienced mental health challenges or know someone who has. Yet many people struggle in silence, unsure where to turn or hesitant to reach out. The Yellow Bench Project creates visible opportunities for connection before challenges become crises.
Yellow Benches are placed in public spaces, workplaces and campuses as a visible, human prompt: sit down, talk, listen. No clinical language. No crisis messaging. Just a warm reminder that connection matters and support is close by.
Each bench carries a QR code linking to local wellbeing resources, and every placement is supported by community activations, storytelling and awareness activity.
Loneliness, isolation and mental distress affect communities, workplaces and families right across Western Australia. Formal services are stretched. Stigma keeps people silent. And too often, support only appears once things have already reached a breaking point.
The Yellow Bench Project takes a different approach. By creating visible, welcoming spaces for conversation in everyday settings, we aim to reduce stigma, encourage early help-seeking and remind people they are not alone.
Our vision is to establish a network of Yellow Benches across metropolitan, regional and remote Western Australia. Supported by local partnerships, storytelling initiatives and community engagement activities, each bench will serve as a visible reminder that connection matters and support is never far away.
Mental health is everyone’s business. By partnering with the Yellow Bench Project, organisations can demonstrate visible leadership in community wellbeing, support meaningful local impact and contribute to a statewide initiative focused on connection, prevention and belonging.
There is a place for businesses, councils, universities and community organisations in this project. Every partnership helps place more benches, reach more people and build something lasting across WA.
The Yellow Bench Project will only succeed through strong community partnerships. If you’re interested in sponsoring a bench, becoming a project partner, hosting a bench in your community or learning more about the initiative, please complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.
