Linda Podbury

Why I'm Sitting In Silence for 20 Hours.

On Sat 27 June, I’ll be taking part in the 20 Hours for 20Talk challenge in Sydney.

The challenge is exactly what it sounds like: 20 hours in silence. No phone, no technology, no talking. Just me, a journal, a water bottle, food, and a 2x2 metre square that I’ll stay in for the full day.

Honestly, it feels a little confronting. I think most of us are so used to filling every quiet moment with something, whether that's scrolling, messaging, working, planning, overthinking, distracting ourselves.

So the idea of sitting still, without a phone, without conversation, without the usual noise of everyday life, is uncomfortable. But that’s also why I wanted to say yes.

This challenge is raising funds for 20Talk, a mental health charity focused on giving young adults practical, relatable tools to look after their mental health. Their mission is to support young people aged 18–30 by making mental health education feel more accessible, human and relevant to real life.

I care about this because I know mental health isn’t something that only matters once someone is already in crisis. It matters in the everyday moments too and the reality is, most people are either: overwhelmed, burnt out, disconnected, anxious, struggling to ask for help, or quietly carrying more than people realise.

And I think a lot of young people are.

What I really like about 20Talk is that their work focuses on prevention and education, not just crisis response. They run Mental Health Maintenance courses that give young adults practical tools and skills to better manage stress, build healthy habits, and navigate life’s challenges. 

That makes the goal feel real to me.

My fundraising target is $1,000, which is the goal for each participant. The challenge is both a personal challenge and a fundraising challenge, with funds going towards 20Talk’s next stage of growth and impact.

If 50 people donate $20, I’ll reach my goal.

So I’m asking, very simply: if this is something you care about, or if you want to support me doing something genuinely outside my comfort zone, I’d be so grateful for any donation.

Even a small amount helps. And if you can’t donate, sharing the link or sending a message of support means a lot too.

I’ll be using the 20 hours to reflect, journal, sit with my thoughts, and hopefully come out of it with a bit more clarity, gratitude and stillness than I went in with.

Thank you for supporting me, and thank you for supporting young people’s mental health <3>

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 equipping them with the knowledge and tools to maintain 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!