Natalja Nabinger de Diaz

One night isn't a lot, but it can make a whole lot of difference

Every night, thousands of Australians experience homelessness. But it doesn't have to be that way. This year I'm taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Society to support Australians in need. For one night, I'll be sleeping outside as part of an eye-opening experience to raise awareness and bring home the realities of homelessness.

I'm a Clinical Psychologist based on the Gold Coast, the founder of SANVT. Psychology, a private practice, and the Founder and CEO of Riot + Bloom Collective, a community-facing platform and initiative designed to improve access to mental health resources and support, particularly for people who have been underserved by existing systems.

This cause is close to my heart. I haven't experienced homelessness directly, but I do know what it's like to lose your home, and to spend years without a stable place to return to. I know the impact that kind of instability can have on mental, emotional, and physical health. And I know what it takes to rebuild, including the village it takes to get there.

Through my clinical work and everyday life on the Gold Coast, I'm seeing the housing crisis unfold in real time. Clients, friends, and colleagues are being pushed further out of the areas they've called home for years. Many are cycling through temporary accommodation because there is nowhere stable to settle. And it's only getting worse.

The Gold Coast has been my home for the last 14 years, and Australia the country where I've been able to build a life. That's why this cause matters to me, and why I want to contribute now, and in the years to come.

To help break the devastating cycle of homelessness, I need your support. Will you help me to reach my target? Donating $100 can make a huge difference to people who need it most.

If you're able to support, thank you. Every contribution goes towards real, practical help for people who need it.

Learn more about why I am supporting Vinnies initiative here: 
www.riotandbloom.com/ceosleepout