Jacob Cleland

Between the ages of 17 and 21, I experienced my own significant mental health challenges. At 18, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent the next four years in and out of psychiatric hospitals. During this period, recovery felt impossible; my days were clouded by a sense of vague doom, without care or clarity about what my future might hold. This difficult time gave me a deep understanding and empathy for others who face similar daily struggles. I don’t fear and am not bound by the same string that trapped me in insignificance for so long. I can and have always in recovery not feared the stigma, as schizophrenia along side many other mental illness’ are just like physical ailment's, you need a doctor, medicine and rehab. 

One practice that helped me greatly during my darkest days was journaling. It became an essential part of my healing process and remains a daily habit for me, though thankfully my entries today are much lighter and far less twisted!

To support the important work of the mental health charity 20Talk, I am undertaking a unique challenge: spending 20 hours sitting in a two-metre square box, without technology or talking, accompanied only by my journal and a chair. This experience aims to provide a small window into the isolation and inner struggles many individuals with mental health issues face.

Why am I doing this?

Mental health impacts everyone in some form, and the statistics remain alarming:

- Suicide is still 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 raise awareness and funds to change these statistics. Your donations will support 20Talk's impactful prevention campaigns designed by young people, for young people, making mental health education accessible and relatable.

Your contributions directly help by:

- Funding one-day Mental Health Maintenance courses for young people.

- Expanding online resources and building a thriving community of over 60,000 on social media.

- Organizing large-scale, interactive mental health events.

Together, we can improve mental health literacy, break down harmful stigma, and encourage professional help-seeking behaviors, ultimately preventing crises before they happen.

Thank you so much for your support. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m always here. Much love and gratitude!