Sharon Peralta

Sharon is taking on the 20-hour challenge to support youth mental health and raise awareness about the importance of prevention.

The right tools for the right job

On my way to work this morning, I really noticed the bounce in my new sneakers. It felt like I was working with the energy of each step instead of pushing against it. My old sneakers had lost their grip and cushioning after oh so many 10 km walks so every impact felt hard.

It struck me as a simple but powerful analogy for mental health. We all do the best we can with the tools we have at the time. Imagine how different things might be if we learned the right tools before we reached serious mental health struggles.

That’s why I admire the work 20Talk is doing. Through workshops,

media campaigns & documentaries, they educate young people on how to care for their mental health early. Their workshops explore 12 dimensions of wellbeing, including self-control, exercise, sleep, nutrition, relationships, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and more. I dream of a world where these skills are taught in age-appropriate ways from primary school onwards.

On 27th June at 4:00 am, I’ll begin 20 hours of silence in a warehouse with 350–400 others. While the surface level focus of the event is about switching off from technology, and reflecting, for me it’s deeply personal. We’ve lost people we love to suicide. We’ve seen children struggle. I have my own experience with anxiety and trichotillomania, and I know many people facing serious mental health challenges.

For me, the silence represents the unspoken space so many of us sit in - the shame, and quiet isolation when we’re not okay.

In Australia, nine people die by suicide every day. It’s the leading cause of death for those aged 18-44, more than twice the daily road toll.

Although I’ve reached my $1,000 minimum, I’d love to raise as much as possible so 20Talk can run more workshops. If you’re able, please consider donating to support our young people.

Why I am doing the sit in…

I chose the team name Be the Change simply because i see that it is our responsibility as part of society to Be the Change we want to see in the world. If there is an issue that speaks to us and we have the capacity to, it’s important to do something about it - whether it is raising money, speaking up or joining an organisation.

Throughout my life i have struggled with my own mental health and i have lost friends and acquaintances to suicide - of all ages. We have 7 children and many of them have at some stage struggled with mental health. The statistics around suicide are devastating.

I am also a third year Psych student working towards being an Art Therapist. I see Suicide as preventable and so it is important to me to support people in any way i can. There is a quote by Desmond Tutu that i love - “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in”.

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!

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My Achievements

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Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Thank you to my Sponsors

$300

Trish Doyle Mp

You’re such a big-hearted gem, Shar.. Mental ill-health is such a critical issue & has impacted so many people I know. I’m proud of your efforts to raise awareness. Go well and thank you. xo

$54.84

Emily Cooper

$54.84

Annette & Gavin Blake

Inspirational, as always!

$54.84

Eve

$54.84

Anonymous

$54.84

Ian Dawson

Could you imagine me being silent for that long. 🤔😁😁 All the best sweet lady.

$54.84

Kim

This is immensely important, thank you Shar x

$54.84

Julia Proud

Good luck and appreciate you doing the challenge. A definite worthy cause

$50

Olsen’s

Good on you Shar! Important cause.

$50

Jonathan Marin

Support this all the way with you cuz

$50

Isabella Peralta

$33.87

S.

$28.43

Moonlark

You go girl!

$28.43

Anonymous

$28.43

Mount Vic And Me

You go girl! x

$28.43

Will Chapman

$28.43

Silke

Thank you so much for participating in this mental health awareness event!! That is so much appreciated. Good luck!

$28.43

Lisa

Thankyou for raising awareness Sharon 😊🌷

$23.50

Mary Dixon

$23.50

Erica

$22

Liz Taverner

Good job Shar!

Our Team

Sharon Peralta (C)

Raised so far:

Sharon Peralta

The right tools for the right job

Why I am doing the sit in…

20 Hours of Silence for Youth Mental Health.

Help me reach my goal

Raised

$1,107

My Goal

$2,000

Select amount to donate

My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

Trish Doyle Mp

Emily Cooper

Annette & Gavin Blake

Eve

Anonymous

Ian Dawson

Kim

Julia Proud

Olsen’s

Jonathan Marin

Isabella Peralta

S.

Moonlark

Anonymous

Mount Vic And Me

Will Chapman

Silke

Lisa

Mary Dixon

Erica

Liz Taverner

Our Team

Sharon Peralta (C)

$1,107.33