SHH: Be silent for hours in Perth charity fundraiser
In 2024, local charity 20Talk invited 250 Perth residents to do just that, raising over $250,000 for youth mental health initiatives in Western Australia — and in September, locals will be given another chance to test themselves when their 20 Hours event comes back to Claremont.
'We're living in the most connected, overstimulated era in history — and yet young people have never felt more anxious, more lost, or more alone,' 20Talk explained on their website.
'The small, confined space (in the challenge) symbolise the mental health struggles that many young people face — feeling trapped, overwhelmed, or isolated.
'By stepping into the square during this event, participants can better empathise with those experiencing these feelings and raise awareness about the importance of mental health support.' 20Talk Founders Leighton Bradfield and Lockie O'Donoghue. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
The Fremantle charity organisation was started in 2018 by friends Leighton Bradfield and Lockie O'Donoghue, after they experienced the loss of two close friends to suicide over two months.
The duo realised that mental health funding and education were skewed to prioritise crisis management and intervention over preventative measures, which they wanted to fix.
20Talk hosts a range of flagship programs to further educate Perth residents about mental health such as school screenings and courses, which are funded by events such as the 20 Hours for 20Talk.
The event has already expanded nation-wide with sessions this year being held in Melbourne and Sydney.
Their most recent event in Sydney at the end of June has raised over $185,000 so far.
'Each 20 Hours event remain rooted in what makes it powerful — no tech, no distractions, no hiding — but scaled to bring in hundreds of new participants and fund life-saving work across the country'. Individuals take the 20 hours to digitally detox and reflect on their mental health. Credit: Supplied
One former participant in the 2024 event, Blake, said completing the 20 hours gave him a good sense of achievement.
'I was looking around the room and realised that everyone's from different age groups, different ethnicities, different beliefs, everything, but we're all here for a common need,' he said.
'It was really inspiring to see a group of people come together like that, people that have never met each other before.' The 20 Hours for 20Talk event has already raised hundreds of thousands for youth mental health in Australia. Credit: Supplied
Registrations for the next 20 Hours for 20Talk event in Perth are open for people who want to step up and step into the square — for more information or to sign up, head to 20hoursfor20talk.com.au.
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
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