Grace Plevey

20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.

I’m Participating In The 20 Hours For 20Talk Challenge Which Will See Me Sitting In A 2×2 Metre Square In A Warehouse, With Other Participants, No Talking And No Technology For 20 Hours. All We Will Have Are The Essentials Brought With Us: 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, and that's 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 matters to us all! It can be dark, lonely, and confronting.

The statistics are still oh so 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 acknowledge the truth of these statistics and do my part. Your contribution goes towards 20Talk’s free prevention campaigns. They are a mental health charity that makes education free and accessible to our youth. 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 Maintenance (MHM) is a free, one-day workshop designed by 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 equipping them with knowledge and tools to maintain their mental well-being before reaching a 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 (and if you want to join in, come and take part).