Beth

My 20 hours for 20 talk challenge

Those who know me know I love to chat. So I’m taking on my hardest challenge yet, in honour of my mate Gyles, who I know would’ve laughed harder than anyone at the idea of me being silent for 20 hours. The 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge 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.  But I need your help! I must raise $1000 to be eligible for this event, meaning literally every cent counts. 

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?

A few years back I lost a truly special mate to his mental health battle. The reality of the minds internal struggle 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'

20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.