This June, Lifeline Northern NSW is encouraging locals to push for better mental health by participating in Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge.

Participants will take on 3,249 push-ups across 24 days in June, putting the spotlight on the tragic number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2022. 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 Northern NSW Executive Director Michael Were 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. Northern Rivers locals have had so much fun pushing up and learning about mental health with us for the past three years, so we can’t wait to do it all again in 2024.”

“Just like Lifeline’s services, The Push-Up Challenge is for everybody, connecting people through the transformative power of exercise while empowering them with ways they can make a positive difference in their lives and those around them. Funds raised through The Push-Up Challenge will support our services to be there for anyone, anytime, whatever the reason,” commented Mr Were.

From 5 to 28 June, participants of all ages and abilities will do push-ups while learning about mental health, with the number of daily push-ups changing to reflect a vital mental health fact. And if completing 3,249 push-ups feels out of reach, participants can set their own push-up goal, which can also be done as sit-ups, squats or tailored exercises, with progress tracked through a dedicated app.

Talent & Culture Manager of Elements of Byron, Justine Dorrell, said, “Elements of Byron are proud to support Lifeline Northern NSW this year for The Push-Up Challenge. The work that Lifeline Northern NSW do for our community is so important, from their crisis support, training programmes for businesses, to highlighting available mental health resources and support options, destigmatising suicide and encouraging help-seeking behaviour. We appreciate the incredible work that they do and are proud to be supporting them again this year”.

Lifeline Northern NSW is encouraging people of all ages, local businesses, gyms, clubs and schools in the area to join the challenge, create a team or community and get involved.

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 at thepushupchallenge.com.au.

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. 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).

About The Push-Up Challenge

Founded by Nick Hudson in Perth, Australia in 2017, The Push-Up Challenge (TPUC) began as a challenge between four friends, and has grown to become Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event. 2024 marks TPUC’s eighth year in Australia and first in Canada. TPUC is a fun way for participants to connect with one another, get fit, and learn about mental health, with participants encouraged to raise money for mental health charities. The event is free to take part in and runs from 5-28 June 2024 in Australia. For more information and to register, visit www.thepushupchallenge.com.au. 

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