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!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$540
Mel
$106.75
Dina
$100
Manuel Reichert
$80
Mama & Papa
$55.95
Cherri Brownlie
Good on you Manuel, this is a fabulous fund raiser for a fabulous cause.
$55.95
Nat
$55.95
Simon Macri
pictures please!
$55.95
Meg
Proud of you
$55.95
Heidi
$50
Johanna Schick
$50
Sia
Manuel, thanks so much for doing this. Hope you never had to go through mental health (and physical health) issues. Take care.
$33
Sugar Bunnies
$30
Caitlin H
Amazing initiative Manuel! Good on you and helping such a great cause. I’ll be cheering you on silently from afar:)
$30
Z-mc
$28.81
San
$28.81
Aaron Burke
Good luck not speaking for 20 hours.
$28.81
Anonymous
$28.81
Sharon Mary-anne Parnell
Hold your peace
$28.81
Jade
$28.81
Andreas
$28.81
Pat
Well done Manuel
$23.81
Jayne Harries
Well done Manuel! A great cause.
$23.81
Jasmin Wolf
$20
Steven
All the best, great initiative
$11.92
Simone
What an amazing initiative! All the best with it Manuel! :)
$11.92
Jen Cornish
Good work Manuel
Massive respect for taking on the challenge Manuel. You know how much I love to talk so I wouldnt last 2mins 😆 sending good thoughts your way while you take some time away from all the noise.