Andrea Manno

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

What has love got to do with it?

It's a line if a song, sure but if we ask ourselves this very question, we may find there's a myriad of answers.

When it comes to challenges such as 20 Hours for 20Talk supporting youth mental health programs, there are many aspects where love comes into it. In fact, it really is all about love and care, and the positive contribution that anyone can make to enrich someone's life. This is so very important when it comes to those experiencing mental health challenges or struggles. And it's important - and personal - for me.

So, let's dive in and let me spread the word on how I perceive love as strongly linked with why I am doing this challenge. And along the way, if I inspire you to donate, share or find a way to support my campaign and this cause, then that is fantastic!

My top 10 reasons involving love as to why I am doing this challenge:

10. With love, I challenge myself to 20 hours of silence- let's face it, since I am quite a conversationalist, this is a big ask!

9. With love, I identify with others whom have lived experience and want to help others by showing support

8. With love, I actively contribute to others - the second 'C' in the acronym, ACCEPTS as part of the many acronyms in the DBT psychotherapy (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy)

7. With love, I practice sitting with myself and my Self, to see what comes up, what insights I might have and hopefully find empowerment or propellants for further change and growth along my journey

6. With love, I continue focusing on increasing my self-awareness of the different facets of myself

5. With love, I aim to raise further awareness of the need for supports catering for youth, aiding them to navigate and also work towards recovery with mental health challenges

4. With love, I hope to be able to practice sitting in silent reflection, practising meditation with mindfulness, thought diffusion and connection with Self

3. With love, I help promote the acceptance of mental health programs and hopefully increased accessibility to these

2. With love, I wish to be more aware of the present moment and focus on authenticity

1. With love, my goal is to increase funding for the NFP, 20Talk thus helping aid the continuing facilitation and delivery of a scope of youth mental health programs - and early intervention is often key with working on mental health challenges!

Help me kick this challenge and aid 20Talk to keep doing what they do so well for youths! Let's do it for love!

💙💜🧡

Silent Reflection

For me, 20 hours of silence is a massive challenge, one because I'm quite talkative but two, and importantly, sitting in quiet self-reflection for an extended period of time creates such discomfort. Avoidance has been common due to the pain and uncomfortable emotions that crop up in the silence, the gaps that I often feel the need to fill.

It will be a massive challenge and likely time and space for some deep reflection. The silence of no communication will only be broken by the thousands of thoughts that enter my mind, and the likely many emotions that will crop up, a good portion of which may be uncomfortable. My therapist said that we experience 80-300 emotions throughout a day/24-hour period. Imagine what this 20-hour experience is going to be like!

Not only will these 20 hours contribute positively towards helping youth mental health programs and initiatives, and hopefully help save lives, but it will likely be rather transformative for myself. I'm looking forward to the challenge even if a little nervous at the thought of it!