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!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$55.95
Greg Wells
$55.95
Michelle Herweynen
Good luck James, this will be tough challenge for you I'd think, well done taking it on!
$55.95
Ahsan Khorasani
❤️❤️❤️
$55.95
Anne Dennehy
Good luck James! This will test you 😂
$55.95
Anonymous
$55.95
Leo
Well done James. Such an important things to raise funds and awareness about. Enjoy the silence!
$50
Maggie T
$50
Kate Williams
$34.40
Damien & Lauren
You can do it James!!!
$28.81
Nathan Selton
$28.81
Jess Vears
Shhh Jimmy Gray
$28.81
Stefan Bohm
Good luck my man
$28.81
Matt Sampson
Love ya bro
$28.81
Thomas Hudson
Love you bro x
$28.81
Kevin Xu
Good luck!
$28.81
Luke Hennessy
Go well mate
$28.81
Anonymous
$28.81
Anonymous
💪
$28.81
P I
Shhhhhh
$28.81
Anonymous
Good work cobber!
$28.81
Jennifer Bignoux
$28.81
Kate Tatchell
$28.81
Anonymous
$25
Andrew C
Bliss for everyone around you
$25
Xavier Buckley
Gabby told me to do this. I listen to her well done mate.
$25
Gab G
Go James!
$25
Ingrid
Good luck! You got this 💪
$23.81
Wayne George
It’ll be hard for you not to talk for 20 hours James.
$23.33
Bellos
$20
Liam Forristal
Awesome stuff mate, ripper cause!
$20
Jenna Boxall
$11.92
Anonymous
Good luck James!
$10
Samantha Muller
There’s no one in the world who I’d pay to not speak for 20 hours except you
$6.20
Marlon Pereira
All the best mate and good on you for doing this mate
