Stef shuts up - 7th year!

$3,010 raised

TARGET $2,646

Please support this cause

$
AUD

About

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 It's quite outdated now, but it definitely conveys my heart and soul as at May 2013.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/

I'm raising funds for

charity-logo

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

headspace provides mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 and their families across Australia through our network of centres and online via eheadspace. To find out more or to find your nearest centre, visit headspace.org.au

SL

About Fundraiser

Stefanie Lowe

Dunlop, ACT



Fri, 12 Oct 2018

Hafsah Farouk

$ 10

Amazing effort Stef! xx

Thu, 11 Oct 2018

Meg Harlow

$ 43

Great work Stef - let's make it $3k even :) x Meg

Wed, 10 Oct 2018

Dani Chatillon

$ 50
Wed, 10 Oct 2018

Amy Neale

$ 20

Hi Stef, amazing effort - hope you reach your incredible fundraising goal this year. Amy

Wed, 10 Oct 2018

Anonymous

$ 27
Wed, 10 Oct 2018

Lena Saboisky

$ 20

I now realise why you didn't say hi this morning. Good luck! - Lena

Wed, 10 Oct 2018

Sharyn Davis

$ 20

You are an inspiration Stef

Wed, 10 Oct 2018

Lauren Croser

$ 20
Tue, 9 Oct 2018

Edlyn

$ 50
Tue, 9 Oct 2018

Gemma Bonshek Kane

$ 20

Thanks for sharing your story and using it to make a positive impact. Your courage is an inspiration

SINCE Aug 2018

60 

Donations

$3,010 raised

TARGET $2,646

Please support this cause

$
AUD

I'm raising funds for

charity-logo

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

headspace provides mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 and their families across Australia through our network of centres and online via eheadspace. To find out more or to find your nearest centre, visit headspace.org.au
SL

About Fundraiser

Stefanie Lowe

Dunlop, ACT

SINCE Aug 2018

60 

Donations