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CMHA NS challenging Nova Scotians to do 2,000 push-ups in 23 days to support mental heath
Jan 18, 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
The Push-Up Challenge and the Canadian Mental Health Association NS Division rally the support of Nova Scotians in their push for better mental health this February
This February, CMHA Nova Scotia is encouraging locals to push for better mental health by participating in fitness-based mental health initiative, The Push-Up Challenge.
The February event has participants taking on 2,000 push-ups to represent the 20 per cent of Canadians who will suffer from mental illness in any given year. The event begins on Thursday, February 1, 2024, and runs for 23 days.
Canadians of all ages and walks of life will participate in the event, which engages people in mental health awareness through connection, physical activity and education.
“The Push-Up Challenge is a great way for the people across Nova Scotia to get fit, connect with their community and do something positive for their mental health, and support the Canadians who experience mental illness each year,” says Karn Nichols, Executive Director of CMHA NS Division.
“Everyone has mental health and it’s likely we all will experience a mental health issue at some point in our lives. By pushing up and learning about it, we hope to break down the stigma attached to mental illness so that Canadians don’t think twice about reaching out for help.”
The Push-Up Challenge is a free event, and fundraising is optional. Participants can choose to fundraise and support the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division, the National office, or any CMHA branch or division across the country.
Funds raised for CMHA NS Division 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.
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. Alternatives to push-ups are also encouraged, such as sit-ups, squats or other alternative exercises. Progress can be tracked through logging progress through a dedicated app which also allows you to easily fundraise and see how your mates are going with the event.
The Push-Up Challenge has been taking place in Australia for the past seven years, with more than 500,000 participants completing 900 million push-ups and raising more than $36 million for mental health. 2024 marks the first time the event will take place Canada, run by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
You can register for The Push-Up Challenge as an individual, a team, or get your whole workplace, club, gym or school involved at https://www.thepushupchallenge.ca/beneficiary/cmha-nova-scotia-division
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.
MEDIA CONTACT
Contact Erin Christie,
Provincial Lead – Communications and Community Engagement
Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division
Email: [email protected]