Motivations
I'm not sure how other people have come across the 20 hours for 20 talk event/fund-raiser, for me it was a post on Instagram. To be honest I'm not sure I even paid attention to the first post I saw on the topic, which is I guess has a sense of irony to it given how often we don't pay attention to the signs and symptoms of mental illness in our day to day lives. We are all so focused on work, study, family, sports, bills, music, world events, memes, and whatever other responsibilities or dopamine kicks demand our attention. The second time I saw a post about it I paid more attention. Mental health is something that I have always struggled with from when I was a teenager right through to my adult life. It has created many barriers in my life and I have friends who lost their battle with their own mental illness. When I realised what the post on Instagram was asking of people I felt compelled to get involved. Mental illness is still a taboo subject in a lot of communities within Australia. By speaking openly about my own mental health and raising awareness I hope it gives others the support and courage to reach out and ask for help.Why I am participating in this fundraiser
Mental health awareness is something that is important to me, I have spent my entire life living with mental illness and I know the impact it can have on a persons life. People with mental illness often suffer in silence and for a long time it has been a taboo topic. I want to be a part of the solution that helps people.
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?
Even if you don't suffer from mental illness, we all know someone who has dealt with it in some way or another, the reality is it impact a lot of people who suffer in silence. 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 $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
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!
