Join us on February 1st and push for better mental health

Jan 3, 2024

On February 1st the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division invites Nova Scotians to get fit, have fun and learn about mental health by joining the Push-Up Challenge.

The Push-Up Challenge shines a spotlight on the connection between mental health and physical health by encouraging participants to complete 2,000 push-ups in 23 days.

That number represents the 20% of Canadians who will experience a mental illness each year.

Nova Scotians wishing to join the Challenge can register for free online and download The Push-Up Challenge App to receive a daily target with a corresponding mental health fact each day of the Challenge.

Those who want an extra challenge, are encouraged to fundraise by asking people to sponsor their challenge. Funds raised will go towards the Canadian Mental Health Association branch of their choice.

In Nova Scotia, funds will support programs that provide the tools and support Nova Scotians need to be well and stay well. This includes support finding and maintaining safe, affordable housing, assistance finding sustainable, well-paying jobs and access to mental health literacy tools and education.

Are you ready to push for better mental health? Here’s how it works.

Join the challenge

You can register HERE for free now. You can take on the challenge on your own or create a team. Teams help build motivation and healthy competition. For groups of more than 10 people, we suggest you create a community (a collection of teams). These work well for workplaces, gyms, schools and clubs, or big groups of friends.

Start pushing

From 1 to 23 February you’ll challenge yourself to complete 2,000 push-ups – representing the 20% of Canadians who will experience a mental illness each year.

Each day of the challenge, you will receive a daily target with a corresponding mental health fact, so you can learn while you push for better mental health.

Sounds like too many push-ups? That’s okay, alternatives to push-ups are allowed – think squats, lunges or sit-ups – or aim for a smaller target, like 25%, 50% or 75% of the full target.

Fundraise

Whilst fundraising is an optional part of this event, we do encourage it.

REGISTER OR DONATE TO CMHA NOVA SCOTIA DIVISION

Join us on February 1, 2024. Together we can push for better mental health.

About the Push-Up Challenge

Founded in Australia in 2017 by Nick Hudson, The Push-Up Challenge was initially a friendly competition between a group of friends challenging one another to do 3,000 push-ups in a month.

In 2018, Nick learned he would have to have open heart surgery and he fell into depression. During his recovery he decided to focus on making The Push-Up Challenge a major event across Australia and to shift the focus to mental health.

In early 2023, Nick decided to try and expand the challenge into Canada with the Canadian Mental Health Association as the exclusive partner and charitable recipient.

Questions?

Contact Erin Christie, Provincial Lead – Communications and Community Engagement

Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division

Email: [email protected]