Pia Hill

20 hours in my own head for the young people!!!

I guess when I look at it I’ve been working and volunteering with young people for over 13 years now.

I care deeply about young people, they are our future.

Having worked alongside young people for so long it becomes clear that mental health challenges faced by young people are everywhere. 

They are serious and we need to take it seriously. 

I love volunteering, but I guess with my life right now volunteering regularly just doesn’t fit, so that’s why I feel like this challenge is one that has purpose and gives me the opportunity to give back to a cause that is important to me, that’s fits in my life right now. 

I’ve worked with young people who have taken their own life, who have struggled daily with their mental health and those who have supported loved ones and friends who face mental health challenges. 

I have two little boys who I hope will grow up knowing that it’s okay to talk, it’s so important to ask, and who will engage in the supports available if and when they need it.

Who knows what 20 hours in my own head will be like but I’m ready to find out and I’d be so grateful if you’d support me and 20talk as I do it. 

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?

We have all been touched in some way or another by the reality of mental health. 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 cours
• 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!