Jacob O'Shaughnessy

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

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?
Myself personally i’ve been struggling with my mental health my whole adult life. Seeing multiple different psychologist and therapists, being in and out of hospital due to being acutely unwell mentally. Not actually understanding what was wrong with me.

After my last visit to the Mental health hospital ward, they had (finally) diagnosed me with severe depression, anxiety and BPD.

BPD is definitely very scary to deal with. The constant mood swings, terrible self image, fear of abandonment, daily suicidal thoughts, chronic feeling of emptiness. Feeling this all daily and being told there is no medication just a lot of psychology and therapies is definitely scary to hear when you are in such a vulnerable place.

I’ve seen the hurt it brings to everyone that is close to me how damaging mental health can be not only to the person struggling but also their support people.

Now that i know my diagnosis and am starting to take the steps for my mental health to be healthy. I feel sitting in a 2x2 box with nothing but my essentials something i need to do next. I’ve done plenty of research when it comes to mental health and the reality is quite confronting. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-44.

The money raised goes towards 20Talks prevention work - making support more accessible, relatable and less intimidating for young people, before it reaches a crisis point.

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!

Select amount to donate

$25

$50

$100

$300

Donate

All payments are secure & encrypted

Personal Donation Company Donation

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

I consent to receive information about volunteering and future events via email. I can opt-out at any time.

Yes No

Leave a Message (Optional)

Name to appear on page (Optional)

I'd like to remain anonymous to the fundraiser

All payments are secure & encrypted

Credit Card

Cover platform costs

Total amount

All payments are secure & encrypted

My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Thank you to my Sponsors

$210.20

Colleen Lockwood

Good luck with your goals. Very proud of you ❤️

$106.12

Kerry Wells

Well done Jacob ❤️❤️

$106.12

Kate Hughes

Jacob, it takes real courage to be open about something so personal. Good luck with the fundraising, it’s an awesome initiative.

$100

Karen Burgess

Well Done Jacob this is an amazing thing you are doing! Proud of you mate!

$54.84

Karen Byrne

Good on you Jake xx

$54.84

Sloper Family

Well done Jacob!

$50

David O'shaughnessy

You might be able to stay silent for 20 hours but If Allie could acheive this .. That would be a real challenge 😀 Great Initiative Mate ✅️

$50

Hayley W

$33.87

Kevin O’shaughnessy

Well done Jacob

$28.43

Joy W

Great cause Jacob

$6.20

Lexi Parkyn

Ava Robinson

love you poppet xx

Our Team

AVA ROBINSON (C)

Raised so far:

$670.95

Saskia Naismith

Meah Wilkinson