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!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$318.90
Anonymous
$223.40
Anonymous
$106.12
Lynda Farrington
I miss talking with for 20hours
$106.12
Mandy C
👊 Penny! It feels like a challenge is just around the corner for you. I can't wait to see you rise to it! You’ve got this!
$106.12
Karen & Brent
So important Penny….well done YOU! 🤐 K&B
$106.12
Jd
Shoooosh
$106.12
Binet Family
Go Pen! Such an important cause.
$106.12
Stephanie Binsted
Thanks Pen for drawing attention to this cause.
$54.84
Tobi
Go Pen!!!! Love Tobi and Hayley
$54.84
Oleeta Fogden
Go Pen!
$54.84
Anonymous
Good luck Pen! Amazing idea for a mental health charity. Well done for doing it. No doubt it will be a huge challenge.
$54.84
Richard Durand
Nice work Sis. Great cause.
$54.84
Angela Knight
Go Pen. So much admiration for this challenge, way beyond my capabilities. And for such a good cause
$54.84
Dibrissett
Great cause, Penny.
$54.84
Anonymous
$53.64
Shane Hamilton
A challenge indeed!
$50
Hannah
$50
Matt Briscoe
20h of peace. Enjoy
$44.71
Harini Reddy
Good luck Penny! ❤️
$30
Meg Reddy
Good luck Penny!! xx
$28.43
Daniel Rastoka
$28.43
Jill Gray
Good luck Penny. Should be quite N experience, jill
$28.43
Terje Nybø
You are amazing! You are always caring for others and going the extra miles. You are an inspiration. Love.
$28.43
Deb Owens
$28.43
Lucy Walsh
Go Mumma 😎
$28.43
Christie B
$28.43
Elaine Russell
Go well Pen! What a great initiative!
$25
For a worthy cause