Donna West

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

20Hours for 20Talk

On 29 March 2026, I am participating in 20Talk’s 20Hours event. No talking and no devices for 20 hours, all in a 2m x 2m square.

This is to raise funds for youth mental health. After being suspended for 809 days on full pay from my previous workplace, I know the loneliness of being isolated and feeling powerless.

This is why I am undertaking this challenge, which will provide much needed funds for mental wellness training for young people. So they can build resilience for inevitable life challenges.

Any donations you can make to this worthwhile cause will be greatly appreciated.

Donna West

In order to raise funds for mental health charity 20Talk, I'm going to take on the challenge of sitting in a 2 metre square box for 20 hours with no technology and no talking. This challenge will be a small look into the day of someone struggling with mental health. All I will have is my own thoughts, a journal and a chair to sit on.

So why am I doing this?

We have all been touched in some way or another by the reality of mental health. It can be dark, lonely, and confronting.

Structurally, the statistics are still alarming..

Suicide still 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 to 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 cours
Expanding 20Talk's online resources and 60,000+ social media community
Running large-scale interactive mental health events

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

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!