Jodie Clarke

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

Hello Family And Friends

Why I’ve Chosen to Fundraise for Children’s Mental Health

There are causes that matter… and then there are causes that stay with you.

I’ve chosen to fundraise for children’s mental health because I truly believe that how we support children today shapes the adults they become tomorrow.

Children today are navigating a world that moves fast. Social pressures. Academic expectations. Technology. Family challenges. Big emotions in little bodies. And many of them are trying to manage it all without the tools or language to explain what they’re feeling.

Mental health isn’t just about crisis situations. It’s about resilience. Confidence. Feeling safe. Feeling heard. Learning how to regulate emotions. Building self-worth. These foundations are built early — and when children don’t get the support they need, those struggles can follow them for years.

Access to support shouldn’t be a privilege. Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive emotionally, not just survive.

Some children are battling anxiety before they even understand what anxiety is. Some are struggling with sadness they can’t name. Some are masking their distress behind behaviour that adults misinterpret. And many families simply don’t know where to turn.

Early intervention changes lives.

When we invest in children’s mental health, we’re investing in:

Stronger families

Healthier communities

Reduced long-term challenges

More confident, capable young people

This fundraiser is my small way of contributing to something bigger than myself. It’s about awareness. It’s about starting conversations. It’s about breaking the stigma that still surrounds mental health — especially in young people.

If we can teach children that it’s okay to talk about their feelings, that asking for help is strength, and that their emotions are valid — we give them a lifelong gift.

Mental health matters at every age. But when we support it early, we change futures.

If you feel called to support this cause — whether by donating, sharing, or simply having an open conversation with a child in your life — thank you. Every action counts.

Together, we can help build a generation that feels seen, supported, and strong.

In order to raise funds for mental health charity 20Talk, I'm going to take on the challenge of sitting in a 2 metre square box for 20 hours with no technology and no talking. This challenge will be a small look into the day of someone struggling with mental health. All I will have is my own thoughts, a journal and a chair to sit on.

So why am I doing this?

We have all been touched in some way or another by the reality of mental health. It can be dark, lonely, and confronting.

Structurally, the statistics are still alarming..

Suicide still 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 to 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 cours
Expanding 20Talk's online resources and 60,000+ social media community
Running large-scale interactive mental health events

By improving mental health literacy, removing harmful stigma, and encouraging professional help-seeking we are preventing people from getting people into crisis in the first place.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post 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!