✦ This June, Lifeline Mid Coast is encouraging Mid North Coast locals 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 Mid Coast CEO Ms Catherine Vaara 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. Mid North Coast locals have 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,” added Catherine.
What's the Push-up Challenge?
From June 1-23, 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.
And 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,” added Nick.
Lifeline Mid Coast is encouraging people of all ages, local businesses, gyms, clubs and schools in the area to join Team Lifeline Mid Coast.
“Lifeline Mid Coast is honoured to be a beneficiary of The Push Up Challenge again this year," explained Catherine. "The funds raised through the challenge go to the local face-to-face suicide prevention and post-vention programs in our local area including Eclipse–a group for people who have survived suicide attempts, and Support after Suicide–a group for people bereaved by suicide. Almost 100 volunteers based in Port Macquarie answer 26,000 crisis calls every year, and are trained and supported by Lifeline Mid Coast.”
Local group, Self Seen Mental Health Community, have jumped on board and are encouraging everyone to get involved. “Our local support network provides connection for men and women in our community and helps people through their personal battles with mental health," said Benny Cudmore, one of the founders of Self Seen. "Physical and mental health are very connected and The Push Up Challenge creates a great opportunity for a bit of fitness and a lot of community spirit!”
Best of all... it's free to join in!
The Push-Up Challenge is a free event and you can register as an individual, a team, or get your whole workplace, club, gym or school involved.
About Lifeline
Through phone, text and online chat, Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen without judgement to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or longs to be heard.
Contact:
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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