The Push-Up Challenge at CMHA Peel Dufferin

This February, CMHA Peel Dufferin is encouraging our locals to push for better mental health by participating in fitness-based mental health initiative, The Push-Up Challenge.

Starting on February 1st for 23 days, this event has participants taking on 2,000 push-ups to represent the 20% of Canadians who will suffer from mental illness in any given year. Canadians from all ages and walks of life are participating, and engaging in mental health through connection, physical activity and education. David Smith, CEO of CMHA Peel Dufferin said, “The Push-Up Challenge is a great way for the people of Peel and Dufferin to get fit, connect with their community and do something positive for mental health, and support the Canadians who experience mental illness each year.”  

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 mental health, 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.

Participants of all ages and abilities are doing push-ups 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 7 years, with over 500,000 participants completing 900 million push-ups and raising over $36 million for mental health. 2024 marks the first time the event has taken place in Canada and 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 The Push-Up Challenge – (thepushupchallenge.ca).