Challenge shines a light on mental health

HEADSPACE Mount Gambier is encouraging Limestone Coast locals to push for better mental health by participating in Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge which takes place next month.

Now in its tenth year, participants will take on 3307 push-ups across 24 days in June, to remember and honour the 3307 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2024.

From June 3 to 26, more than 200,000 Australians from all ages and walks of life will participate in the event which engages people in mental health through connection, physical activity and education.

headspace Mount Gambier spokesperson Nick McInerney said the Push-Up Challenge was 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.

“Mount Gambier 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 2026,” Mr McInerney said.

“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 Mount Gambier.”

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 3307 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.

Last year was The Push-Up Challenge’s biggest year in its history.

The Push-Up Challenge founder Nick Hudson said as they enter their tenth year, he was incredibly proud that The Push-Up Challenge had encouraged more than 1 million Australians to take a more proactive approach to their fitness and mental wellbeing, raising more than $60 million for mental health services in the process.

“We can’t wait to watch those numbers continue to grow,” Mr Hudson said. “What started as a simple fitness challenge has grown into a fun way for every Australian to connect with their community, get fit, learn about mental health and honour the lives tragically lost to suicide.”

headspace Mount Gambier is encouraging people of all ages, local businesses, gyms, clubs and schools in the area to join Team headspace Mount Gambier.

You can register for the free event as an individual, team, or get your whole workplace, club, gym or school involved at www.thepushupchallenge.com.au