Vikki Friedman taking part in Zip It to raise money for mental health

VIKKI Friedman can't pinpoint the exact moment she spiralled into a black hole so deep she saw no way out. But one thing she has learnt, is there is always hope.

VIKKI Friedman can't pinpoint the exact moment she spiralled into a black hole so deep she saw no way out of it.

The Melbourne mum had three young, healthy sons, a wonderful husband and felt otherwise happy and healthy.

But she was overcome by a slow-creeping anxiety that crept up on her so fast it left her unable to eat, drive, leave the house or simply function.

Mrs Friedman, who had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression prior to the birth of her sons, knew exactly what was wrong - the problem was she just didn't know how to fix it.

"It's hard to explain to someone exactly what it feels like," she told news.com.au.

"The anxiety slowly crept up on me, I wasn't able to go out, eat or see people - and the thought of driving my sons to school sent me into a panic.

"In the end I just wasn't there."

Mrs Friedman was soon hospitalised, away from her family, even missing one son's fourth birthday party.

But she knew without drastic help she wasn't going to recover from the debilitating illness which was crushing her.

"It became physical, I didn't even want to swallow because I was scared I was going to choke," she said. "I spent five weeks in hospital but with the help of medication, began to get better."

She says the hospital stay was a turning point as it enabled her to get the treatment she needed. Without that, and the support of husband Michael, she says she would simply not have been able to get better.

Now fully recovered and happier than ever, Mrs Friedman says she can focus on the important things in life - sons Hugo, 8, Milo, 6, and Luca, 3.

Describing her illness as debilitating, Mrs Friedman says it was vital that those suffering mental health issues didn't do so in silence, adding help was always out there.

The Melbourne mum in December 2010, just four months before she was hospitalised. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Friedman is just one of several hundred people set to take part in Zip It, a national campaign which encourages people to donate their voices and stop talking for 24 hours in a bid to help turn up the volume on mental health issues in Australia.

With more than $25,000 already raised, the campaign to be held on October 10, raises money for mental health charities as 'Zippers' around the country are sponsored by friends and family for their silent pledges.

Funds raised will go towards seven mental health charities including Black Dog Institute, headspace, Lifeline, PANDA and Suicide Prevention Australia.

Mrs Friedman is planning a silent lunch with her girlfriends and has so far raised hundreds of dollars for the campaign.

"I am just one of many individuals who think that the Zip It campaign is a great way to raise awareness of mental health issues and stand in solidarity with the others who are suffering - many of whom are suffering in silence," she said.

"If I and my friends can 'donate our voices' - even only for an hour during a silent lunch - and raise money for mental health charities at the same time - then I think we will have achieved the above.

"Nobody needs to suffer in silence."

Zip It founder Tania Burstin says mental health is a massive issues for Australians with 45.5 per cent experiencing a mental health disorder at some point.

"Often occurring together, depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders experienced by Australians," she said.

"Untreated, mental illness can lead to suicide. In Australia, more people die from suicide than on our roads.

"The objective of the Zip It campaign is to make some noise about mental health and raise funds for those organisations working tirelessly to redress these statistics."

• To register for Zip It, visit the website . For help or information call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

Are you planning to Zip It? Continue the conversation via Twitter @newscomauHQ | @DebKillalea

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