Michelle Brinkman

Michelle is taking on the 20-hour challenge to support youth mental health and raise awareness about the importance of prevention.

My why 💛

Why am I doing the 20 Hour for 20Talk?

Because I know what it feels like to look okay on the outside while quietly battling things on the inside that nobody can see.

There have been moments in my life where I’ve questioned my own worth and whether I would ever feel like myself again, if I had the strength to live to see another day.

There have been experiences that changed me in ways I never expected, left things behind that took a long time to understand, and made me realise just how easily someone can become lost beneath the weight of everything they’re carrying.

Mental health isn't always obvious. Sometimes it looks like getting up, going to work, being a mum, laughing with your friends and carrying on with life… while inside you're exhausted from simply trying to hold everything together.

I've learnt that healing isn't linear. Some days you're strong, some days you're simply surviving, and both are okay.

My experiences have taught me the importance of being heard, being believed, having someone sit beside you without judgement, and knowing that asking for help isn't weakness. Sometimes one conversation, one person, or one moment of feeling understood can make more difference than we realise.

That's why I'm doing the 20 Hour for 20Talk.

For the young people who might be struggling silently.

For the ones who don't have the words yet.

For the ones who think nobody would understand.

For the ones who feel like what they're going through is too much, too complicated or too hard to explain.

I want them to know that their feelings matter. Their story matters. And whatever they're facing right now doesn't get to decide the rest of their story.

I can't change the things I've been through, but I can choose what I do with them.

If sharing a little of my story helps even one young person feel less alone, encourages them to speak up, or reminds them that there is still so much life ahead of them…

then every hour will be worth it. 💛

This is my why.

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 equippig them with the knowledge and tools to maintai 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!

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My Achievements

Fundraising page

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Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Thank you to my Sponsors

$106.75

Liam Brennan

$106.75

Carly Turnbull

Well done Michelle !! So proud of you

$106.75

John Brinkman

Good luck with your challenge, hope all goes well.

$100

Michelle

$100

Mum

$50

Anonymous

$35

Anonymous

$28.81

Natasha Newton

$25

Anonymous

$20

Anonymous

$20

Tori Newton

$15

Anonymous

$6.20

Michelle

My why 💛

20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.

Help me reach my goal

Raised

$720

My Goal

$1,000

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My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

Liam Brennan

Carly Turnbull

John Brinkman

Michelle

Mum

Anonymous

Anonymous

Natasha Newton

Anonymous

Anonymous

Tori Newton

Anonymous

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