Lex :)
I’m taking part in the 20 Hours for 20 Talk challenge because this is a chance to back an organisation that is genuinely saving lives. Every single one of us has been touched by mental illness in some way, whether through our own struggles or those of people we love. And yet, despite how common it is, so many people still feel completely alone in it.
That’s what I love about 20Talk. It makes mental health support feel approachable, relatable, and accessible for young people, filling gaps that have existed for far too long. It meets young people where they already are; online, in their communities, in real life and shows them they’re not alone.
The irony of mental illness is that while it’s one of the most universal human experiences, it can also be one of the most isolating. It convinces you that your pain is yours alone, that no one could possibly understand. Seeing people in your community speak openly, be vulnerable, and share what’s helped them is powerful. It gives others permission to do the same. That kind of visibility is genuinely life-changing. Especially for a generation that largely creates community online.
So here’s my contribution; my story.
Mental health struggles and suicide run through generations of my family. I’ve lived with anxiety, depression, and BPD for most of my life, and as a teenager I struggled deeply with my own mental health and suicide attempts. For me, this challenge is about breaking cycles for myself, for my family, and for the generations that come after us. It’s about believing that what was carried in silence before doesn’t have to be carried any longer. I’ve come leaps and bounds in my mental health journey and am also doing this for the little girl that didn’t think she’d still be here 10 years ago. How proud she’d be to see we’re on the other side and are strong enough to not only face my own struggles head on but support and inspire others in doing so too.
This challenge is also personal and rewarding. Spending 20 intentional hours in my own head is a way of proving to myself that my mind can be a safe place to live. That I can sit with uncomfortable emotions, face them honestly, and know I’m safe while doing so. And look around a room full of people who are all facing the same challenge, will reinforce the idea that we’re never alone in the battles we fight in our heads.
I also hope this shows older generations that young people are taking mental health seriously and that support, conversation, and hope aren’t age-specific. Help exists for them too, and change is possible.
If you’re able to donate, you’ll be helping keep these conversations going and supporting work that truly saves lives. And if donating isn’t possible, sharing this with your network still makes a real difference.
Thank you for supporting 20Talk and me in completing this challenge & wish me luck!
You go you good thing!