Why 20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.
20 hours. One 2×2 metre square. No talking. No phone.
No distractions! Just me, a chair, a mat, my journal, water and food in a warehouse alongside 400 other people doing exactly the same.
That's the 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge, and I'm taking it on.
Twenty hours of stillness and silence is a small, deliberate glimpse into the isolation someone living with mental health challenges can feel every single day. It'll be hard physically, mentally and emotionally. That's the point. I'm doing it to sit in solidarity with the people navigating that for real.
If you know me, you'll know I've spent a significant part of my career working in the mental health space. Particularly leading a charity called Wear it Purple, which exists so LGBTQIA+ young people grow up knowing they belong. And whilst this is a different charity, the opportunity to bring further awareness to young people and their mental health is a challenge I want to take on.
Did you know that suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people and those under the age of 44. Yet only 2% of funding goes towards prevention.
Thats why charities like 20Talk and Wear it Purple are so important. To help shift that number.
Your donation goes to 20Talk, a youth mental health charity, built for young people by young people. More at www.20talk.com.au.
Thank you for reading, and for anything you can give. Small challenge, hopefully a big difference.
And as always, if you ever need to chat, I'm here.
Well Done Lara! A worthwhile cause and hope the 20hrs fruitful for you too.