Hi all, I'm Stef Some of you may know the drill by this point in my 7th year fundraising, but I know there will be some new people visiting - so I'll start from the beginning. My family has been torn apart due to mental health issues. In 2002 my father took his own life, followed by my younger teenage sister in 2012. My mother now suffers from complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and I battle depression daily. I want to do anything and everything to support teenagers and young adults going through what I went through, and then my sister, and her friends. Therefore, as always, the money I raise will be going to headspace. Headspace provides an irreplaceable service to young adults in need. Suicide, anxiety, depression – the rates of all mental health issues that affect our population can be reduced if we intervene early and provide the right tools for resilience to our young adults. How will I do this? On World Mental Health Day 2018, Wednesday 10 October, I'm going to be physically silent for 24 hours - to raise the volume on mental health! I’ve been completing this self-imposed challenge ever since we lost a valued colleague at the Environment Department to suicide in 2012. Over the last 6 years I’ve raised $17,354 for headspace, and I know with your help I can crack the $20,000 mark this year! So pull out your credit cards, or come and see me to drop off cash!! Anything and everything you donate will be absolutely appreciated. On the big day feel free to come by my desk and check out my meerkat impersonation when the phone rings, or see how fast I can scribble to keep up with a conversation. Over the years I’ve learnt that this is a fun, light-hearted challenge. But it is rooted in truth. The hardest part of the day is going home, and feeling so lonely. Not even being able to talk to my pets. That is the truth – mental illness makes us feel alone. But it doesn’t have to be that way – there is always someone to talk to. Headspace, lifeline, beyondblue, black dog, kids helpline, your GP, counsellors, friends, colleagues, family, strangers, me! Don’t be afraid to start a conversation. Thanks so much to you all for your continued support. It means the world. Stef If you want to read any more about my “story” - here's one I wrote for beyondblue. It's quite outdated now, but it definitely conveys my heart and soul as at May 2013. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/personal-stories/story/stefanie I also wrote a piece for headspace last October, 2017. https://headspace.org.au/young-people/stef-shuts-up-for-headspace/