Larissa Fry

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

Finding Healing, Raising Hope

During my 40th and 41st year on earth, I have learnt more about myself than ever before while also facing the hardest times of my life.

In 2024 my mind was triggered by suppressed traumatic memories and I was thrown into an acute onset of CPTSD. The months that followed were brutal. I went to hell and back. I was unwell for a long time, living through pain, anger and deep confusion.

Recovery has not been quick or straightforward. It is a journey that is not linear. Every day can bring something different but I am doing the work, learning along the way and doing my best. With time, and with the support of my partner, my friends, my therapist, hospitals and mental health services, I have slowly started to rebuild and find life and passion again.

I am still here…!

The reality is not everyone is so lucky.

- In 2023, 298 Australians between the ages of 18 and 24 died by suicide.

- Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-24.

- 3249 Australians died by suicide in 2022.

- By 2020 to 2022, 42.9 percent of Australians aged 16 to 85 had experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives.

I have almost been one of those statistics more than once. Looking back, I know that prevention and support such as what 20Talk provides could have made a difference to my mental health during my late teens and early 20’s. This is why I’ve chosen to raise awareness and funds for this great charity.

20Talk empowers young adults aged 18 to 30 by integrating essential mental health tools and skills into their lives. Their mission is to be the most relatable mental health charity of the 21st century, challenging the status quo and redefining how we approach mental health education.

I’ll be taking part in the 20hrs challenge with 20Talk on the 6th of December. For 20 hours I’ll sit silently in a 2x2 meter square with nothing but a chair, journal and a water bottle. No technology, no phone, no talking. The small space represents what it can feel like to live with mental health struggles; trapped, isolated and overwhelmed. The challenge is also a chance to reflect how small shifts mindset, habits, and support can open that space up again.

One of the ways I have found healing has been through pottery. What started as a creative outlet has become a form of meditation, a way to ground myself, and a way to process everything I have been through as well as a space to focus and not be controlled my my looping mind. You can follow along on Instagram at @Daisy_Pots.

This year has been hard, but I am here and I want to use my journey to help others stay here too. Please support my fundraiser for 20Talk and be part of changing the story for young Australians facing mental health challenges.