With an increasing number of individuals grappling with mental health challenges, there has been a corresponding rise in efforts to provide support to those who struggle.
In 2022 alone, more than 3,200 lives were claimed by suicide, averaging nine deaths daily.
The statistics are a stark reminder of the urgent need to address and openly discuss the issue.
The ‘Push Up Challenge’ has emerged as Australia’s premier mental health and fitness event, running from June 5 – 28.
The Push-Up Challenge is designed to improve physical fitness and foster enjoyment while pushing the boundaries for better mental health among Australians.
Participants of this unique fitness event will endeavour to complete 3,249 push-ups or alternative exercises over 24 days, representing the lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2022.
Since 2017, the Push-Up Challenge has raised an impressive $40 million for mental health programs and services, engaging with over 500,000 individuals.
However, the Push-Up Challenge goes beyond physical exercise and serves as a mental health education and awareness platform.
On each day of the challenge, participants will receive a different push-up target and corresponding mental health facts to increase their understanding of mental health statistics.
The CEO of the Pushup Challenge, Nick Hudson, says the program has exceeded his expectations since he launched it and hopes to help more lives in the future.
“I am pretty astonished to see how successful the Push-Up Challenge has been in only eight years of running the program.”
“I certainly hope we can impact more lives thoroughly in Australia and more people overseas.”
Participants can tackle the challenge individually or as part of a community.
They have access to a fundraising page where others can directly contribute to their chosen foundation.
The Push for Better Foundation, Lifeline, and Headspace are among the foundations supporting the event, all of which work to help those facing mental health challenges.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890
