This June, Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney is encouraging locals from Goulburn to the Hills to push for better mental health by participating in Australia’s largest fitness-based mental health initiative, The Push-Up Challenge.
Participants will take on 3,144 push-ups across 23 days in June, putting the spotlight on the tragic number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2021.
Thousands of Australians from all ages and walks of life participate in the event, which engages people in mental health through connection, physical activity and education.
Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney CEO Veronica Macdonald encouraged people of all ages, local businesses, gyms, clubs and schools to join Team Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney in the push for better mental health.
She said, “The Push-Up Challenge is a great opportunity for Australians to talk about their mental health, learn how to best support each other and recognise when they might need to put their own hand up for help. People in our community had so much fun pushing up and learning about mental health with us for the past two years, so we can’t wait to do it all again in 2023.
“More people than ever before are reaching out to Lifeline for help and support, and the money raised through The Push-Up Challenge will support our services to be there for anyone, anytime, whatever the reason.”
From 1 to 23 June, participants of all ages and abilities will push-up while learning about mental health, with the number of daily push-ups changing to reflect a vital mental health fact.
If completing 3,144 push-ups feels out of reach, participants can choose to do half the target, and opt for alternative exercises such as sit-ups, squats or tailored exercises, with progress tracked through a dedicated app.
Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, said, “The Push-Up Challenge is a great way to get fit, connect with your community and learn about mental health, all while honouring lives tragically lost to suicide.
“It’s likely everyone will encounter mental illness at some point in their lives, so by getting down, pushing up and learning about mental health, we hope to break down the stigma attached to mental illness so that Australians don’t think twice about helping someone who might be experiencing it, or reaching out for help themselves.”
The Push-Up Challenge is a free event, and people can register as individuals, a team, or get their whole workplace, club, gym or school involved here. For more information and fundraising tips, download the Push-Up Challenge Fundraising and Engagement Guide.
Through phone, text and online chat, Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen without judgment to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or longs to be heard. If you, or someone you know, is in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days) or chat to a Crisis Supporter at lifeline.org.au (7pm – midnight, 7 nights).
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