Why are you giving up 20 hours for 20 talk?
I’m so glad you asked [yes I’m asking myself] well let’s start with the key to why I’m doing this. It’s okay to not be okay, it’s okay to be silent and want to spend time by yourself. In media, education and social interactions we are constantly expected to show up in ways that often aren’t possible for all of us. I received late diagnosis's for both Autism and ADHD, these simultaneously impacted my ability to develop and succeed to the best of my potential.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. Many of us struggle in silence. Many of us unaware as to where these feelings develop. Many of us saturated ourselves with social activities and social media to distracted from our negative feelings. Many of us feel alone. Many of us struggle to be alone. We all struggle.
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 $300 puts a young person through a two-day Mental Health First Aid course
- 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!
