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
$106.12
Robyn
$106.12
Anonymous
Love you Jo!!!
$54.84
Tiffany Streett
Love the work you do, you’ve given me hope on many occasions.
$54.84
Laura
Good luck! I guess I hope you lose your hair!
$54.84
Brett Clark
G’day Jo, perfect time to read the Hapkido Manual cover to cover , or draw, read. Look at the positive , no phone , no phone calls or texts😀 Good Luck
$54.84
Jenny Abrook
What an amazing human you are.
$54.84
Kristy Wetherell
Go Jo - you are awesome and you have got this!!
$54.84
Lauren
$54.84
Alison Fietz
Good luck Jo! Great cause!
$54.84
Benj Riethmuller
$54.84
Davina
$50
Dani M
Thank you for standing up for such a great thing like mental health awareness. I wish I had even just a name for why I felt so different when I was younger. It would have gotten me through a lot more with a lot less difficulty. It's so incredibly important to educate our young people (and everyone else!) about mental health. You're making a difference, Jo!
$44.71
Al
20hrs of silence Jo! You’re a trooper 💪
$28.43
Jo Dunham
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Lisa Smith
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Anonymous
Awesome Jo
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Jess & Mitch
You rock! Thanks for advocating for those of us who don’t have the means or support to do so ourselves! From some of your biggest fans, Jess, Mitch & mini spicy crew
$28.43
Steve Wynn
Jo I didn’t realize you weren’t allowed to speak the whole time. You are a trooper and I know it’s going to be hard. Proud of your sacrifice
$28.43
Spike
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Sophia Podegracz
$28.43
Gemma Williams
$27.83
Sarah Churches
$25
Tine Kindberg-schytte
You're amazing! I'm rooting for you.
$23.50
Sara Gem
Thank you
$13
Cozzywozzydodah
Your amazing! Hope you reach the goal! 💓
$11.80
Anonymous
$11.80
Anonymous
$11.80
Tristen Bournigal
$11.80
Anonymous
Thank you for doing this, Jo.
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Erin J
Love your work
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Anonymous
Best of luck Jo!
$11.80
Ruth Cosby
$6.43
Elena N
I wish it could be more. 🙌
$6.20
Stitchimamad
Go Jo!!
$6.20
Charity Terrell
Fingers crossed for you!
$6.20
Sarah
I watch your videos all the time and it helps me feel less isolated and guilty about my spicy brain. Thank you.
$6.20
Bieke Vanheulebrouck
$6
Carly Mattravers-taylor
❤️
Love your hair, but it's a good cause!