Lucas McSweeney

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 people going through it.

So why am I doing this?

Loneliness is something I know the feeling of all too well, and it’s something I’ve spoken about through 10,000 DAYS as well.

I think that’s a big reason why this challenge stood out to me. I know what it’s like to feel lonely or stuck in your own head, even when you’ve got people around you.

I’m also really interested to see where my mind goes over those 20 hours. No phone, no talking, no distractions. Just me, my thoughts and a journal.

A big part of 10,000 DAYS for me is trying things that might teach me something about myself or help me understand my own mind a bit better, and I think this will definitely do that.

More than anything though, I want to do it for people who feel that loneliness or struggle every day and don’t get to just walk out of it after 20 hours.

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 Maintenance (MHM) is a free, one-day workshop designed with industry experts to help individuals better understand different areas of their wellbeing and learn ways to keep on top of them.

The idea is to give people the knowledge and tools to look after their mental health before they reach crisis point. By improving mental health literacy, removing stigma and encouraging people to seek help, the workshop hopes to stop people reaching that point 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!