Count to 20... in silence 🔕
Let's talk about mental health. It's not a new topic I know; in fact, it is probably one that you have heard of many times, most particularly in recent years. The fact is that statistics show that mental health diagnoses or conditions are up there with the high-ranking of other diseases. And what is excruciatingly sad to acknowledge is that many Australians whom deal with a mental health condition also are battling physical and other type diagnoses; co-morbidities and multimorbidities (the presence of multiple co-occurring and often correlating health conditions) make the life of someone who is already battling mental health events harder. And to top the cake of layers with a cherry on top: the interrelationship between mental and physical health, depending on type and severity, has been shown through scientific research to shorten a person's life expectancy.So, if we're not talking about suicide and the devastating reality of losing people because of suffering, we have to also look at the fact that afflictions in mental health can so gravely impact a person's life that they affect not only the QUALITY OF LIFE but LONGEVITY too. That's a double whammy.
Why is this so? The science is not new: the mind-body connection is talked about so much. It is incorporated into different practices, such as yoga, meditation, and also evidence-based therapies. But what about if you are someone who is out there, feeling all alone, don't know where or who to turn to, and you're not aware let alone got access to therapeutic support?
That's where 20Talk comes in. As one of the strong NFP organisations delivering programs that help people with the support and skills to make changes in their lives, we are TALKING about saving lives. These programs can help people to learn skills and explore ways to be able to cope with things that impact their life and their mental health. In mental health, it's about the skills yes, but often it's about seeing the light at the end of what seems like a dark and lonely tunnel. Sometimes, just knowing that you're not alone and that others 'get it' is a major factor in helping someone have HOPE.
So, let's count to 20 and talk about all the important things that matter when it comes to mental health challenges.
1. You are not alone
2. You are alive today and you are uniquely you in this world
3. You are worth it. Every bit of you - shadow parts and all.
4. You can get through it.
5. When a thought comes floating in, even knocking loudly on the door, you can pop it to the side. It's just a thought.
6. You are not your feelings but what you feel is valid.
7. What you do with your thoughts, emotions and behaviour is your choice: you can choose how you respond to situations. That means you can also learn ways to make things better.
8. You are in control of your life. As an adult, you choose who stays in your life, what you allow, and what decisions you want to make surrounding how you wish to live your life (within reason- we are not talking illegal stuff here!)
9. You can have boundaries. In fact, boundaries are extremely important. And 'no' is not a dirty word; in fact, it is a complete sentence. That's all. No.
10. Life will throw things at you, and sometimes lemons don't make lemonade... yet, there's always something to be learned from every painful experience
11. There is no such thing as a life without pain. But there is such a thing as a life with beauty even admist the pain.
12. Mark Twain said: "There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy "
13. Superstition is a thing, spirituality is what you make it mean for you... and in reality, we are all traversing our lives in the best way we can with what we have.
14. Sometimes it might feel like you are trying to climb Mt. Everest but every step you take, no matter how small, is a step. It's just about finding your compass
15. You might have heard of this one before but here we go as it's important: 'this too shall pass'
16. Believe in yourself. Be your own cheerleader and not your worst enemy and critic. Save that for Gordon Ramsay.
17. When it rains, it pours. But the sun usually comes back out again, even if not straight away but it will. There's a glisten, a silver lining that will be illuminated along or after every dark cloud; no matter how thick the darkness seems, there is light
18. Sit. Take a breath. Meditate. Go into the forest and wander. Walk along the ocean or sit and just listen to the water lapping the shore. Lie on the ground and look up at the sky - even the night stars. There's a twinkle. ✨️ Be present. Just be.
19. Just be you. And love you for all that you are.
20. Take a moment to sit in silent reflection. Be one with yourself.
Voices in the Silence
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 250 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.
So why am I doing this?
We have all been touched in some way by the reality of mental health. I personally share a birthday with someone whom I admired and appreciated. This person was a lovely human being, and despite his challenges that he faced, I remember sitting in group therapy with him and at other times socialising, and feeling a sense of mixed emotions - compassion, admiration, hope for him and myself, and inspired - he had all these goals and making a plan for positive life changes. Sadly, he is no longer here with us. But every year, on my birthday, I remember him.
Sadly, we are in times where there is more prevalence of mental health than ever before.
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.
Everyone has a unique story and life - and we all face struggles, and encounter hardships and challenges. It is often in extremely tough times that people don't always turn to someone for help or support, and for many, they don't have a strong support system. Instead, many people try to tackle things or sit with it all alone. Human beings are built for social connection; it's survival. Being overwhelmed, alone and lacking support makes challenges feel ten times bigger. If we can band together to tackle this 20 hour challenge of vocal and digital silence 🔕, we can keep helping more voices that struggle to be heard actually be able to reach out, to share and receive support they need.
What is 20 hours of silence if it means being able to offer support and encourage people to voice their needs and get the mental health support that helps them through not just 20 hours but many more? Let's help spread the noise of crucial mental health services by supporting me in this challenge of silence!
If you ever need to chat, I’m here to listen to your VOICE - don't stay silent! But please, donate to my campaign and support the challenge for me to be silent 🤫. Anyone who knows me well knows that it's a challenge for me! I've had many people walk beside me throughout different parts of my journey, and I can tell you that feeling heard and seen can make such a positive difference.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for donating to the cause. Hopefully, together, through this challenge and your support, we can help people get through their challenges and we can change someone's life.
Let's give silence one of the loudest voices! 🔕 ✨️
Good luck Andrea, and good on you :)