Amalia Birch

Amalia is taking on the 20-hour challenge to support youth mental health and raise awareness about the importance of prevention.

If every thought was a battle… how long could you last?

On the 6th of December, I’ll be sitting in a 2 x 2 metre box for 20 hours. No talking. No technology. No escape from my own head. Just me, a chair, a journal, and my thoughts.

So why am I doing this?

We have all been touched in some way or another, directly or through the people we love, by the challenges that come with mental illness.

My own battles with my mental health has shaped almost every aspect of my life.

For a long time I thought I was broken. But I’ve finally come to see that I am not. I just needed the right support, the right conversations, and the right tools to keep going. It took me close to a decade to find those things. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had access to resources, treatments, professionals, and so many people who cared. And that’s why I’m taking on this challenge. It should not take ten years of suffering to get the right support. And it should not come down to privilege or luck. Too many people don’t get the same chances I did.

Why your support matters

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people aged 15–44, yet only 2% of mental health funding goes towards prevention. That means we’re still waiting until young people are in crisis before offering them help.

20Talk is changing that by giving young people the tools, knowledge and support to fight back.

Every dollar raised allows 20talk to provide free Mental Health Maintenance and First Aid courses to young adults (aged 18-25), and expanding their online resources and campaigns.

By improving mental health literacy, removing the harmful stigma, and encouraging professional help-seeking we are preventing people from getting into crisis in the first place.

For me, this box will last 20 hours. For others, the fight with their own mind can feel like it never ends. But your donation can make sure they don’t have to fight alone.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post 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!