LIFELINE North Coast is urging individuals, families, schools, businesses, and community groups between Yamba and Nambucca Heads to sign up for the Push-Up Challenge, Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of Australians take up the challenge to complete a set number of push-ups that represent the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia.
This year, running from 4 to 26 June, participants will aim to complete 3,214 push-ups over 23 days to honour that number of suicide deaths in Australia in 2023.
Each day’s push-up target reflects a mental health fact, helping to raise awareness while encouraging daily movement and connection.
Participants can modify the challenge by setting their own push-up target, or completing the reps as sit-ups, squats, or any other exercise.
Progress is tracked using a fun and interactive app.
“This is more than just a fitness challenge, it’s a meaningful and powerful way to bring our community together,” said General Manager of Lifeline North Coast Angela Martin.
“The Push-Up Challenge starts important conversations, reduces stigma, and reminds us all how vital it is to check in on the people around us and take care of our own mental wellbeing.”
The event is open to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Ms Martin is encouraging local workplaces, gyms, schools, and sporting clubs to register a team and select Lifeline North Coast as their chosen beneficiary.
“This is a chance for our region to come together with purpose,” she said.
“Whether you do one push-up or three thousand, every rep helps us create a stronger, more connected and mentally healthy community.”
With more people than ever before reaching out to Lifeline for support, funds raised through the Push-Up Challenge will help the organisation deliver critical local services, such as the 13 11 14 crisis line, suicide prevention training, and mental health programs on the Mid North Coast.
The event is free to join, with the option to fundraise.
In 2024 alone, over 218,000 participants completed 317 million push-ups and raised more than $12 million for mental health services, bringing the total raised since the Challenge began to over $50 million.
Research from the University of Melbourne shows the lasting impact of the event.
Participants reported significant improvements in mental wellbeing, resilience, and social connection, and those experiencing mental health challenges were more likely to seek help and adopt positive self-care strategies after the challenge.
To register, support a team, or donate, visit www.thepushupchallenge.com.au.
By Andrea FERRARI
