Emily Ewen

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

Our Introduction

Hey everyone!

This September, Diego and I are taking part in 20 Hours for 20Talk. We'll each be spending 20 hours in our own 2 x 2 metre square with no phones, no talking, and no distractions, just our thoughts and a journal.

We're doing this to help raise money for mental health because it's something that affects so many people, whether it's ourselves, friends or families. It's also a chance to step away from the constant notifications, endless scrolling, work messages, and everything else that keeps us stuck to our phones. This challenge will be a good reminder to slow down, switch off, and look after our mental health.

Our goal is to raise $2,000 and every donation, no matter how big or small, genuinely makes a difference. If you're able to support us, we'd be incredibly grateful. If you can't donate, sharing this post would mean just as much.

Thank you so much for your support ❤️

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!