Why I’m Taking on the 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge
Mental health is something that has affected my life in more ways than I can explain.
For a long time I’ve struggled with my own mental health. It took me years to even come to terms with that. Some days I’m okay, other days it feels like a battle just to keep my head above water. Anyone who has experienced it knows that mental health struggles can make you feel completely alone, even when you’re surrounded by people.
But this isn’t just about me.
Mental health and suicide have hit far too close to home for me and the people around me. I’ve had friends and people I love struggle deeply with their mental health, some coming dangerously close to suicide, and heartbreakingly I have also lost people I cared about to suicide.
That kind of loss never really leaves you. It changes the way you see things and it makes you realise just how serious this issue really is.
That’s a big reason why I’m taking on the 20 Hours for 20Talk challenge.
For 20 hours I will sit in a 2-metre square box with no technology and no talking. Just me, a chair, and my own thoughts. This challenge is meant to give a small glimpse into what it can feel like for someone living with mental health struggles feeling isolated, trapped in their thoughts, and battling things most people can’t see.
If taking on this challenge helps raise awareness, start conversations, and support people before they reach breaking point, then it’s worth every second.
Men’s mental health and suicide prevention is also something I strongly support. Too many men suffer in silence because they feel like they can’t talk about what they’re going through. That silence costs lives, and it needs to change.
If I can help make even the smallest difference whether that’s raising awareness, supporting the work that 20Talk does, or reminding someone that they are not alone then I will.
If you’re able to donate, even something small, it would mean a lot. Every donation helps support mental health education, prevention, and support for young people who might be struggling.
And if you can’t donate, sharing this page helps just as much.
Mental health matters. Lives matter. And sometimes the smallest act of support can make the biggest difference.
Thank you for supporting me in this challenge.
— Gabby
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!
