My Reason!
Mental health isn’t always visible.
Sometimes it hides behind a smile, quiet moments, or the words, “I’m fine.”
As a mum, one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced has been watching my son navigate the grief of losing his dad. No child should have to carry that kind of heartbreak, yet every day he shows me what strength, courage and resilience truly look like.
Grief doesn’t have a timeline, especially for children. It can show itself through sadness, anger, anxiety, confusion or withdrawal. Some days are easier than others, and some days are incredibly hard. As a parent, all you want to do is take away their pain, but some wounds can only heal with time, love, support and understanding.
His journey has opened my eyes to how important it is to talk about mental health. Our children need to know that it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to not be okay. They deserve to grow up in a world where mental health is spoken about just as openly as physical health.
That’s why I’m supporting the 20 Hours of Talk initiative.
Every conversation has the power to change a life. Whether it’s checking in on a friend, listening without judgement, or simply asking, “How are you, really?”—those moments matter more than we often realise.
If sharing our family’s story encourages even one person to reach out, seek help, or start a conversation, then being vulnerable is worth it.
To my son: I couldn’t be prouder of the young person you are becoming. Your strength inspires me every single day, and I will always walk beside you through every high and every low. You are deeply loved, and you never have to face your struggles alone.
Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep listening. Let’s remind one another that no one should have to fight their battles in silence.
Together, we can make a difference—one conversation at a time.
#20HoursOfTalk #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma #YouAreNotAlone #KeepTalking #Hope #Grief #Healing
20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.
I’m taking on the 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge which will see me sitting in a 2×2 metre square in a warehouse, alongside 400 other participants, with no talking and no technology for 20 hours. All I’ll have are the essentials I bring with me: a chair, sleeping mat, journal, water, and food. No distractions.
This challenge is a small glimpse into the isolation and struggle that someone with mental health challenges might feel every day. I know it will be tough - physically, mentally, and emotionally - but it’s a challenge I’m taking on to stand in solidarity with those navigating these experiences.So why am I doing this?
We have all been touched in some way by the reality of mental health. It can be dark, lonely, and confronting.
Structurally, the statistics are still alarming:
- Suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-44.
- Only 2% of mental health funding goes towards prevention (Mental Health Commission 2022).
I’m completing the 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge to help turn these statistics around. Your contribution goes towards 20Talk’s relatable prevention campaigns. They are a mental health charity that makes education cool and accessible, for young people by young people. Your generous donations go towards:
- Every $120 puts a young person through a one-day Mental Health Maintenance course
- Expanding 20Talk’s online resources and 60,000+ social media community
- Running large-scale interactive mental health events'
What is Mental Health Maintenance?
Mental Health Maintence (MHM) is a free, one-day workshop designed with industry experts to help individuals better understand and engage with different areas of their wellbeing, as well as learn effective ways to monitor them. MHM is designed to support people by equippig them with the knowledge and tools to maintai their mental wellbeing before reaching crisis point. By improving mental health literacy, removing harmful stigma, and encouraging professional help-seeking, this workshop hopes to prevent people from reaching crisis in the first place. To learn more, please visit www.20talk.com.au.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for donating to the cause. Hopefully this small challenge can help change someone’s life.
If you ever need to chat, I’m always here. Love you all and thanks again!
