Olivia Kittila-Howard

Choosing Discomfort for a Bigger Purpose

I’m raising funds for the mental health charity 20Talk by taking on a challenge that pushes me way outside my comfort zone. I’ll be sitting in a 2-metre square box for 20 hours, with no technology and no talking. Just me, my thoughts, a journal, and a chair.

This challenge is a small glimpse into what a day can feel like for someone who is struggling with their mental health. The isolation, the silence, and being alone with your own mind is something so many people experience, even if we can’t always see it.

So why am I doing this?

Because mental health has touched all of us in one way or another. Whether it’s been you, a friend, a family member, or someone you’ve loved, we know how dark, lonely, and confronting it can be. And even with all the conversations happening, the reality is still heartbreaking:

• 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).

Those numbers shouldn’t be normal. And I’m doing 20 Hours for 20Talk because I want to help change them.

20Talk is a charity that genuinely connects with young people. They make mental health education relatable, cool, and accessible, for young people by young people. Your donation helps fund prevention-focused work that actually meets people where they’re at.

Your support goes towards:

• Every $120 putting a young person through a one-day Mental Health Maintenance course
• Growing 20Talk’s online resources and 60,000+ strong social media community
• Running large-scale, interactive mental health events

By improving mental health literacy, breaking down stigma, and encouraging people to seek professional help early, we can stop so many people from ever reaching crisis point.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for supporting something that truly matters to me. Even the smallest donation can help change someone’s life.

And if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m always here.

So much love, and thank you again for being part of this.