20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.
We are taking on the 20 Hours for 20Talk Challenge which will see us each sitting in a 2×2 metre square in a warehouse, alongside 400 other participants, with no talking and no technology for 20 hours. All we will have are the essentials we bring with us: 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. We know it will be tough - physically, mentally, and emotionally - but it’s a challenge we are taking on to stand in solidarity with those navigating these experiences.So why are we 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).
We are 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, we are always here. Love you all and thanks again!
Thank you to our Sponsors
$1,000
Sutherland Shire Football Association Ssfa
$261
Laura Cowell
Message to myself “You Can Be Something”
$106
Carol Provan
$106
Jeff Stewart
Good luck without access to the internet
$106
Jack Boyd
Such a important cause and an even better outcome!
$106
Carmelo Pesce
Good luck
$106
Chris Gallo
20 hours… no talking?!
$106
Melissa Sinfield
A fantastic project, go Laura!
$106
Diedree Steinwall
Wishing you the very best.
$104
Laura Cowell
You are an amazing human. Looking forward to doing this with you.
$100
Curz
Thank you for doing this.... Curzon
$55
Cherie
$55
Teejay
$55
Jodi Tweed
$55
Stephen Nikolovski
You can do it!
$55
Megan Ward
$55
Afro Pasty
Keep doing the good work, proud of you
$55
Anonymous
So proud of you! xx
$28
Rachael Kearney
Inspirational, as always, Laura.
$28
Anonymous
You are doing Gods work blessings to all participants
$26
Anonymous
$24
Caremed
Kudos on raising awareness on something that impacts so many.
$12
Good luck Madam President - not sure how you will stay quiet for so long