20 Hours of Silence As someone known for loving a chat (and doing so non stop), the idea of 20 hours in silence scares me to no end. Why do it? Personal challenge, growth, the hope of enlightenment... time will tell. But doing so for a great cause will
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love a chat... and I'm not exactly known for my ability to stop talking.
Which is precisely why committing to 20 hours of silence feels equal parts terrifying and ridiculous.
I'm doing it to challenge myself, learn something new, and maybe even discover a bit of enlightenment along the way. But more importantly, I'm doing it to support a cause that's worth every uncomfortable minute. If my silence can help others find their voice, then it'll be 20 hours well spent.
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
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Vanessa Larson
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Maria Coutinho
Well done Laura! Great cause..
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Anthea Prouse
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Holly Thomas
Love a challenge like this. Will done
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Deanna Reilly
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Jason W
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Stefan Mischke
Good on ya, enjoy the silence!
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Anna
I Wish I could do this with you! Such a worthy cause! And i can completely relate to how challenging this will be. You are an amazing human. xx
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Smaily
You go you chatterbox, you! 🤗
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Nick Thomas
Enjoy (the silence)
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Steve Phillips
Well done, Laura! I realise this is going to be a tough challenge, but I know you can do it. It’s a fantastic thing you’re doing, and knowing it’s for such an important cause makes it even more worthwhile. Wishing you all the best — you’ve got this! 💪❤️
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Kim Thomson
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Ariel
You are so wonderful— so lucky to have met you on this crazy journey. Thank you for helping shine a light on what so many of us antruggle with. All the love and hugs and light
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Anonymous
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Emery & Kyle
You got this Laura!! Well done 😊
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Karina Baker
What a wonderful thing to do your amazing, you've got this girl 😊
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Mark Jones
Well done Laura, this will be a challenge for you ;)
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Jade
So proud of you. Love you loads ❤️
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Kaz And Dan
You are a superstar.. go girl! Xx
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Eimear Quigley
You are a wonderful human and change maker 🙏
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Liam Turner
Great work and an awesome challenge for Ms Motor Mouth!! Can’t wait to hear how you went
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Lou Moroney
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Claire Horner
So proud of you!
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Tracie Walker
Great work Legend xoxoxo
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Mariette Hill
What a great cause. Good luck, Laura!
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Becky L
Well done, Laura!
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Brent & Ash Greenwell
This b crazy
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Ellie
You got this lovely
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Susan Cooper
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Amy Ferguson
Go Laura!
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Pam
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Judi Di Gregorio
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Hazel Bennett
Good luck x love you loads xx
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Maggie Westerman
Good luck Laura, that's one heck of a challenge for a chatterbox. Great cause. Much love xx
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Julie Howe
Well done you xx
