CMHA Grey Bruce Launches ‘2,000 Push-Ups in 23 Days’ Challenge for Mental Health Awareness

Dec 21, 2023

Grey Bruce, December 21, 2023 – This February, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey Bruce is inviting the community to take part in a groundbreaking fitness and mental health initiative: The Push-Up Challenge. In a bid to rally support for mental health, participants are encouraged to complete 2,000 push-ups over 23 days, starting February 1st. This event symbolizes the 20% of Canadians who will experience mental illness each year.

The Push-Up Challenge is more than just a fitness endeavor; it’s an opportunity for Canadians of all ages and backgrounds to engage in mental health through physical activity, connection, and education. It’s a free event, with fundraising being an optional yet impactful component to support the work of CMHA Grey Bruce.

Participants will be pushing up not only to boost their physical health but also to gain insights into mental health. Each day, the number of push-ups will align with a significant mental health fact, making this a unique educational experience. For those seeking alternatives, exercises like sit-ups, squats, or other forms are also welcomed. A dedicated app will aid participants in tracking their progress, fundraising, and connecting with others involved in the challenge.

The Push-Up Challenge has made remarkable strides in Australia over the past seven years, drawing in over 500,000 participants who have completed 900 million push-ups and raised over $36 million for mental health. 2024 marks its inaugural year in Canada, led by CMHA.

CMHA Grey Bruce Interim CEO Claudia den Boer, expresses her excitement about the event: “The Push-Up challenge is not just an event; it’s a movement towards a healthier, more informed community. It’s a unique blend of physical challenge and mental health awareness highlighting the fact that there is no physical health without mental health. We’re thrilled to bring this initiative to Canada for the first time, and we encourage everyone in Grey-Bruce to join us in pushing for better mental health.”

Registration for The Push-Up Challenge is now open for individuals, teams, workplaces, clubs, gyms, and schools at www.thepushupchallenge.ca. Join us in making a difference, one push-up at a time.

For more information, contact:
Don Vail – Fundraising, Media Relations & Special Events Coordinator
Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce
519-371-3642 | 1-888-451-CMHA (2642) ext.1018 | [email protected]

About Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey Bruce
At CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services we cultivate hope, resilience, and community for those who live with, and are impacted by, mental illness and/or/addiction. We will create an inclusive community inspiring hope, choice, and wellbeing for all. We are driven by our values of compassion, dignity, inclusivity, integrity, and choice. For more information, visit www.greybruce.cmha.org

About The Push-Up Challenge
Founded by Nick Hudson in 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 is TPUC’s first year in Canada, where individuals will complete 2,000 push-ups over 23 days in February to raise awareness about mental health. TPUC is a fun way for Canadians to connect with one another, get fit, and learn about mental health, with participants encouraged to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association. The event is free to take part in and runs from 1-23 February 2024. For more information and to register, visit www.thepushupchallenge.ca