Tension builds
As the day draws closer I am starting to really play this challenge through in my mind. I am probably being pretty nonchalant about this whole thing. But truth be told, I have no idea what my mind will do with 20 hours of quiet. I am starting to get a little nervous, this could be tough. 1,800 in donations, I have my sights set on $3,000!!!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
$529
Northside Blinds
$500
Ben Collier
$350
Dave Low
All the best!
$318.90
Bill Elali
Go Antony, great cause 👏
$300
Dawning Day
Tough gig!
$256.85
Michael And Maria Drumgoole
Amazing cause. Best of luck Antony!
$215
Anonymous
Amazing cause! Lots of love P and B
$200
Mandie Purcell
$200
Richard And David
Go Ant!! Silence is golden!
$143.26
Moni Ng
$140.08
Dylan Munro
$106.12
Cantilever Design Design
$106.12
Tom Speakman
Excellent initiative Antony, best of luck with it.
$106.12
Deborah Morgan
I know it will be tough but you’ll do it!!! Xx
$106.12
Gordon Fitchett
Shhhhhhhh
$106.12
Steph
$106.12
Helen Graney
Are you selling tickets to come and watch??? Best of luck - such a great cause. X
$106.12
Nicaly Notting
You got this Ant, such a great cause x
$106.12
Deb West
Great Cause!
$106.12
Antony Spanbrook
$106.12
Anonymous
$106.12
Shyard
$106.12
Anonymous
Great idea
$106.12
Lulu
$106.12
Rachel Friend
Next time we catch up you can practice on me 😂
$106.12
Rebecca Lee
$106.12
Weng Ching
$106.12
Jarrod Cullen
$106.12
Kat & Benny Forrest
Go you good thing! Can’t wait to hear all about this.
$100
Nhan
I'll believe when I (don't) hear it! Good on ya, Ant! x o x
$54.84
Georgia Adamson
Nice one, Ant. This is such a big issue... anything we can do to raise awareness, funds and support is so important. Go well, my friend x
$54.84
Lara Constantine
Well done Flippy, I’ll try not to call during your day of silence 😜 wish I could be there to witness it x
$54.84
Sera D
$54.84
Alison Duthie
I think you might enjoy 20 hours of silence and want to do it more often!
$54.84
Danielle Cattalini
Go Ant!!
$54.84
Spanbrook
Love you my brother💜
$54.84
Bobbie Cameron
Good luck Ant 🌷
$54.84
Ben Dixon
Go Spanks!!!
$54.84
Jo Yates
Haha... wish I was there to see this happen 😂
$54.84
Stephen/david Ryan
Go you x
$54.84
Karen
What a wonderful thing you are doing and a great cause. Enjoy the stillness. It will be foreign but cup filling
$54.84
Arielle Breit
$54.84
Ola Kay
Go you good thing! Xx
$54.84
Rodney Waghorn
Great work
$54.84
Michael Murphy
Will believe it when I see it!!
$54.84
Joh
$54.84
Tim Murray
I am only doing this because I know you cannot stay silent that long!
$54.84
Geoff
👍
$54.84
Annie Looby
Great cause!
$54.84
Claire Owen
❤️
$54.84
Nina Fordham
Such a great cause and initiative, happy to support you in fundraising!
$28.43
Vicki Bakes
Good luck my love ! From Vik and Harriet xxx
$28.43
Rachael Beck
Good for you beautiful , great cause Xx
$28.43
Raoul
Per aspera ad astra.
$28.43
Steven Yeo
Well done on doing this Antony!!
$27.83
Deborah Biber
Fabulous that you are doing this. Meaningful.Best of luck, Deb
$18
Lorraine
A small amount: but 18 is the symbol of life thus my standard donation, To silence and life!
A wonderful initiative Antony. Good luck.