Most years around this time, I am overseas, enjoying warm weather and a relaxing break from work on my birthday. However, fate has decided that I should be here, enjoying…winter & physical distancing from you, my friends and family. So, if I can’t celebrate my birthday with a group of awesome people (that’s you!), I am going to make sure it is celebrated by doing some good. This year, instead of buying me a hot chocolate (on soy) or a donut, or that delicious glass of bubbles, I would love it if you would shout me a virtual treat and donate to my Party for a Purpose! I know that for some of us, it’s been a rough few months and we aren’t quite out of the woods yet. Getting used to this new normal has been challenging and looking after our mental health and wellbeing has never been more important. That's why I've chosen to support youth mental health charity batyr. I'll be donating what I would have spent on celebrating my birthday to batyr and would love you to join me if you are in the position to do so. For every 30 students in Australia, 7 will be dealing with a mental health issue, yet only 2 will reach out for support, leaving 5 suffering in silence. Most young people dealing with mental health issues do not ask for help, mostly due to stigma. batyr work to smash the stigma around mental health, their vision is a world where all young people are engaged in positive conversations about mental health and empowered to reach out for support when they need it. Thank you for helping making my birthday this year a special one!