20 Hours of Silence for Conversations that matter

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, just me and my thoughts.

This challenge offers a small glimpse into the isolation and struggles that someone experiencing mental health challenges might face every day. I know it will be tough — physically, mentally and emotionally — but it's a challenge I'm taking on in solidarity with those navigating these experiences.

So why am I doing this?

Mental health has touched my life in more ways than one. I've navigated my own struggles, and I've also experienced the heartbreak of losing my brother to poor mental health.

These experiences have shaped the way I see mental health, and reinforced just how important it is to have conversations, recognise when someone is struggling and make support accessible before things reach crisis point.

We can't prevent every tragedy, but I believe we can do more to give people the tools, understanding and support they deserve.

The statistics are still alarming:

• Suicide remains a leading cause of death for Australians aged 15–44.

• Only 2% of mental health funding goes towards prevention (Mental Health Commission, 2022).

I'm completing this challenge to help turn these statistics around.

Where do your donations go?

20Talk is a mental health charity making education relatable and accessible, for young people, by young people.

Your generous donations support:

• Every $120 puts a young person through a one-day Mental Health Maintenance course.

• Expanding 20Talk's online resources and community of 60,000+ social media followers.

• 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 young people better understand their wellbeing and learn practical ways to maintain it.

By improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek professional help when needed, these workshops aim to prevent mental health challenges from escalating into crisis.

You can learn more at www.20talk.com.au.

Thank you 💙

I know sitting silently in a warehouse for 20 hours won't solve the mental health crisis. But if it helps fund early intervention, starts an important conversation or makes even one person feel less alone, it's 20 hours well spent.

Thank you so much for reading, donating or simply sharing this page. Every little bit helps.

And please, check in on your people. You never know what someone might be carrying.

Love you all, and thank you again! 💙