20 hours of silence in aid of youth mental health support

FINDING ways to occupy yourself for twenty hours non-stop would be somewhat challenging for most people.

But fending off boredom for that long while confined to a two-metre by two-metre square, with absolutely no technology – and without speaking to anyone – is a mighty big ask.

That’s what Blackwood resident Megan Millar will have to do when she joins 399 other participants in the Victorian instalment of the 20 Hours for 20Talk event in a Port Melbourne warehouse next month.

The RSPCA inspector will take with her only a camping stretcher, bedding/linen, a camp chair, a sleep mask, a water bottle, a journal and a pen.

She plans to make use of the silent marathon – which starts at 4am on Saturday 6 December and ends at midnight – by focusing on personal reflection.

But the 37-year-old also intends to work on her wedding vows in preparation for her nuptials in February next year.

While doing so, she won’t be allowed to move out of a marked two-metre by two-metre square except for toilet breaks, and nor will she be allowed to utter a word to anyone.

 

“It just popped up somehow in my algorithm on Facebook,” Ms Millar said of the challenge. “I thought, that’s really interesting, and I signed up for more information.

“I get on board with mental health fundraising opportunities; I’ve done One Foot Forward for the Black Dog Institute, because mental health is underfunded and under-resourced in Australia.

“The more we can do to get more funding, education, everything, I’ll get on board with, and I thought this was a different kind of challenge.

“It’s really just a chance to reflect, think about things, get in your own head, maybe tackle some stuff you haven’t had time or space to do.”

Ms Millar was diagnosed with manic depression in her early 20s and experiences situational anxiety now.

She has also known people who took their own lives.

While many would be daunted by a 20-hour vow of silence, Ms Millar is not overly fazed by that aspect of the event.

“I’m not a big chatter,” she said. “I’m quite happy to keep to myself – I’m not great with talking to strangers.

 

“So sitting in a room with a lot of strangers to me wasn’t overwhelming. I’m fine not talking to people in that kind of sphere.

“[But] 20 hours is quite a long time; I just think I’ll get quite restless and bored.

“Just being still and not having much around as a distraction…is going to be a struggle.”

20Talk is a relatively new platform that aims to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health, aimed specifically at those aged from 18 to 30.

The challenge aims to raise $250,000 to provide 2100 mental health maintenance scholarships for young adults.

When The Moorabool News spoke to Ms Millar earlier this week, her total stood at $687.

Ms Millar’s fundraising page is at 20hoursfor20talk.com.au/fundraisers/megmillar.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14 and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.