Liana Rivellese

A little more about my passion for mental health 🩵

Outside of volunteering with Lifeline and studying speech pathology, I also run an Instagram mental health and wellbeing community called The Better Self Club.

I created The Better Self Club as a space to encourage people to invest in their wellbeing, reflect on themselves and continue growing into the people they want to become. Through affirmations, journal prompts, mental health education, practical tips and gentle reminders, I hope to make conversations around mental health and personal growth feel more accessible and encourage people to be kinder to themselves along the way.

One of the things I value most about this community is the opportunity to learn from and support one another. I believe that looking after our mental health goes beyond what we do individually; it’s also about the environments we create, the conversations we have and the support we offer each other.

If this is something that resonates with you, I’d love for you to join our community over on Instagram at @thebetterselfclub. 🩵

20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.

I’m taking on the 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge- spending 20 hours sitting in a 2×2 metre square in a warehouse alongside 400 other participants, with no talking and no technology. All I’ll have with me are the essentials: a chair, sleeping mat, journal, water and food. No distractions, no conversations, just 20 hours with my own thoughts.

So, why am I doing this?

Mental health has always been a major passion area of mine, and it’s something I care deeply about both personally and professionally.

I volunteer with Lifeline, where I see the impact mental health challenges can have on young people every week. I’m reminded of just how important it is for people to feel heard, supported and understood, and how much of a difference it can make when someone has a safe space to talk. Sometimes, having someone genuinely listen can mean more than we realise.

I’m also about to graduate as a speech pathologist, and throughout my studies, I’ve developed an even deeper appreciation for the connection between communication and mental health. When young people don’t have the words to express what they’re feeling, or struggle to communicate what they’re going through, it can make an already difficult experience feel even more overwhelming. And when they don’t have someone willing to listen, those feelings can become even harder to navigate.

These experiences have reinforced for me how important both social and professional support are in mental health. We need to create spaces where young people feel comfortable speaking up, asking for help and accessing support before they reach a crisis point. Mental health education, early intervention and open conversations are such an important part of making this happen.

I know that spending 20 hours without talking or technology will be challenging, physically, mentally and emotionally. While I know this experience can never fully reflect what it feels like to live with ongoing mental health challenges, I hope it offers a small glimpse into the isolation that some people experience and helps raise awareness of why connection and support matter so much.

The reality is that we still have a long way to go.

• Suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people.
• Only 2% of mental health funding goes towards prevention (Mental Health Commission, 2022).

Behind these statistics are real people, families, friends and communities. I believe we can do more to support young people before they reach breaking point, and I want to play whatever part I can in making that happen.

That’s why I’m taking part in this challenge and raising funds for 20Talk, a mental health charity making mental health education accessible, relatable and engaging for young people, by young people.

Your donations will help support:

• $120 puts one young person through a one-day Mental Health Maintenance course.
• Expanding 20Talk’s online resources and community of more than 60,000 people.
• Delivering large-scale, interactive mental health events.

What is Mental Health Maintenance?

Mental Health Maintenance (MHM) is a free, one-day workshop developed with industry experts to help people better understand their wellbeing, recognise changes in their mental health and learn practical tools to look after themselves. The goal is to build mental health literacy, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking before someone reaches crisis point.

I’m really passionate about the idea that we shouldn’t have to wait until someone is struggling to the point of crisis before we give them the tools, language and support they need.

If you’re in a position to donate, any contribution, big or small, would mean so much and help 20Talk continue this important work. Even sharing this fundraiser helps spread the message.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for supporting something that means a lot to me. I know 20 hours will be a challenge, but if it helps raise awareness, start conversations or contribute to a young person receiving the support they need, it will be worth it.

And please remember, you don’t have to navigate things alone. Whether it’s reaching out to someone you trust or seeking professional support, you deserve to be heard, supported and understood. 🩵

Thank you for helping me make a difference.