By YASEMIN TALAT
YOU may have heard of donating money and clothes and even your time but what about donating your voice?
Wyndham Vale resident Kristy Court did just that last week as part of the Zip IT 2013.
The challenge was to stay silent for up to 24 hours on World Mental Health Day last Thursday 10 October and raise money and awareness for mental health.
Ms Court, who is a mother of two, had post-natal depression after the birth of her first child and wanted to get behind the campaign.
“I suffered from post-natal depression with my first child and got the help that I needed,” Ms Court said.
“I would never ever want anyone to go through what I did.”
Ms court said by doing the challenge she hoped to raise money for others to also get the help they needed.
Ms Court said many people suffered in silence although the topic of mental health was becoming increasingly less taboo.
She said the idea of donating her voice for those who had been silent had a loud message.
“It’s the concept that really speaks to me,” Ms Court said.
“It’s unbelievably important.”
Ms Court, who is raising money for PANDA, said talking about her depression helped her.
“If you take the post-natal depression side of things, I had no relationship with my child. My child is now my best friend.”
“There is nothing in this world I wouldn’t give up for him and I almost missed out on that relationship because it’s not talked about.”
Ms Court said there was plenty of support out there for everyone.
“There is so much help out there speak up, you won’t be judged because it’s a lot more prevalent than people realise,” she said.
“And if you don’t get the help you need from the first person you speak out to then go to someone else.”
For more information or to donate visit http://www.zipit.org.au/
