The headspace Griffith staff in action for The Push-Up Challenge. Photo: Supplied.
Youth mental health support service headspace Griffith is encouraging Murrumbidgee locals to push for better mental wellbeing by participating in Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge.
People who agree to the challenge must do 3214 push-ups across 23 days in June, to remember and honour the 3214 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2023.
Headspace spokesperson Candace Prudham said hundreds of thousands of Australians from all ages and walks of life would take part in the event, which engages people in mental health through connection, physical activity and education.
“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,” Ms Prudham said.
”Griffith locals have had so much fun pushing up and learning about mental health with us for the past few years, and we can’t wait to do it all again in 2025.
“More people than ever before are reaching out to headspace for help and support, and the money raised through The Push-Up Challenge will help us continue to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Griffith.”
From 4 to 26 June, participants of all ages and abilities will hit the floor while learning about mental health, with the number of daily push-ups changing to reflect a vital mental health fact.
A headspace push-up challenge raised $8000 for the service’s programs in 2024. Photo: Facebook.
And if completing 3214 push-ups feels out of reach, participants can set their own goal, which can also be done as sit-ups, squats or tailored exercises, with progress tracked through a dedicated app.
“Mental health challenges will affect nearly everyone at some point in their lives,” campaign founder Nick Hudson said.
”The Push-up Challenge aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness through education, and encourage Australians to take a more proactive approach to their fitness and mental wellbeing.”
headspace Griffith had an open day earlier this year that was enjoyed by Claire Doubleday and Emily Pixley. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
The Push-Up Challenge is a free event, and participants can choose to fundraise. In 2024, more than 218,000 participants completed over 317 million push-ups and raised over $12 million for mental health charities in Australia, taking the total raised since the challenge’s inception to more than $50 million.
A 2024 study by The University of Melbourne found that The Push-Up Challenge resulted in significant behavioural change among its participants, who experienced marked improvements in mental wellbeing, resilience and social connection.
After the challenge, participants who reported experiencing a mental health problem were more than twice as likely to seek help (including from a health professional, family member, friend, digital support group or by taking medication), and over three times as likely to adopt self-care strategies such as exercise, enjoying nature, connecting with a friend or family member, or spending time with a pet.
headspace Griffith is encouraging people of all ages, and businesses, clubs and schools, to join in.
You can register as an individual or a team, or get your whole workplace, club, gym or school involved, at the Push-Up Challenge website.
If you need help, or someone you know does, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467.
