Makayla Wood

Why I’m Sitting in Silence for 20 Hours – And Why It Matters

In a world that never stops talking, scrolling, or buzzing with notifications, choosing to sit in complete silence for 20 hours might sound unusual. But that’s exactly what I’m doing — as part of 20 Hours for 20Talk, a powerful initiative raising awareness and funds for youth mental health.

20Talk is a mental health charity based right here in Perth. It was founded by Leighton and Lockie, two passionate young men who saw a massive gap in the way mental health resources were being shared with young adults. They heard what so many of us feel — that while mental health content is everywhere, it often feels out of touch, clinical, or just hard to connect with.

So 20Talk flipped the script.

Their programs are designed by young people, for young people. They meet people where they are — with accessible, relatable, and relevant resources that actually make a difference. From media campaigns to mental fitness workshops, everything 20Talk does is grounded in lived experience and driven by the goal of helping 18–30-year-olds take real ownership of their mental health journey.

This is why I’ve chosen to sit in silence for 20 hours — not for peace or quiet, but for impact.

I’m taking on this challenge because I believe in the importance of making mental health support more accessible and relatable. Like many people, I’ve seen how mental health challenges can impact not just individuals, but entire communities — friends, families, workplaces. I’ve experienced it myself and witnessed it in those close to me. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting organisations like 20Talk, who are doing the work to connect young people with tools that actually make sense in real life — not just in theory.

This challenge will be tough. No phone. No distractions. Just me, my thoughts, a notebook, a swag, a chair, and the company of others doing the same. It’s going to test me — mentally, emotionally, physically. But I want that challenge. I want to sit in that discomfort, to reflect, and to stand in solidarity with every young adult who has ever felt alone in their mental health journey.

And more than anything, I want to help raise funds so 20Talk can keep doing their incredible work — reaching more people, creating more impact, and changing more lives.

If you’ve ever struggled with your mental health, or supported someone who has, you know how important this is. If you can, please consider donating to my fundraising page. Every dollar counts. Every voice raised matters — even when that voice comes from 20 hours of silence.

Let’s break the stigma. Let’s support each other. Let’s start talking — and keep talking — about mental health in a way that finally makes sense.

Thank you for supporting me, and supporting 20Talk.

In order to raise funds for mental health charity 20Talk, I'm going to take on the challenge of sitting in a 2 metre square box for 20 hours with no technology and no talking. This challenge will be a small look into the day of someone struggling with mental health. All I will have is my own thoughts, a journal and a chair to sit on.

So why am I doing this?

We have all been touched in some way or another by the reality of mental health. It can be dark, lonely, and confronting. 

Structurally, the statistics are still alarming..

• Suicide still 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 to 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 $300 puts a young person through a two-day Mental Health First Aid course
• Expanding 20Talk's online resources and 60,000+ social media community
• Running large-scale interactive mental health events

By improving mental health literacy, removing harmful stigma, and encouraging professional help-seeking we are preventing people from getting people into crisis in the first place.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post 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!