Why I'm participating in 20 Hours for 20 Talk
This year has been one of the most mentally challenging of my life. I experienced what most would call the worst thing that could happen. Months later, I'm still waiting to be referred to a counsellor. This wait is hard, but what strikes me most is how much harder it must be for someone without my mental health toolkit.
Like physical health, everyone experiences mental health. If you break a leg, no one expects you to hide it. Butt when the brain is injured, through anxiety, depression, suicidal or other disorders, we're taught to feel shame and stay silent. That stigma is costing lives.
The scale of the challenge is clear. The World Health Organisation predicts depression will be the world's leading disease by 2030. Almost two in five young Australians now live with a mental illness, a 50% increase in just 14 years (Black Dog Institute, 2024). Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 49 (Black Dog Institute, 2025).
Despite this, Australia invests less than 1% of health expenditure in prevention, promotion and education (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2021). Prevention matters. When we understand the risk factors that contribute to mental illness, we can act before crisis.
That's why I'm participating in 20 Hours for 20Talk. 20Talk empowers young people aged 18-30 with practical, relatable mental health tools through online education, and a one day Mental Health Maintenance course. This program has seen 92% of participants feel more confident managing stress and 85% report sustained improvements in wellbeing.
Your donation helps extend that impact. Here's what it can do:
$120: Buys a 20Talk banner installed in a high traffic area, sparking thousands of daily reminders that mental health matters.
$200: Puts a young adult through a one-day Mental Health Maintenance course to develop practical tools and skills.
$1000: Reaches 80,000 young people online through a targeted social media campaign, encouraging them to engage with 20Talk's education and resources.
Every contribution is valuable. Together, we can make prevention the priority and ensure young people get the tools they need to live well.
