The Push for Better Foundation

One in five Australians will experience mental ill-health this year and only 46% of people seek help. It's a complex challenge - for ourselves, our loved ones and, most of all, for the nine Australians who die by suicide every day.

The Push for Better Foundation aims to engage and educate people in mental and physical health, and raise awareness of the mental health issues affecting everyday Australians.

The Foundation was launched in October 2020 by Nick Hudson and is a registered health promotion charity. Our focus is on the prevention and early intervention of depression, anxiety and suicide.

Our Purpose

Bringing people together to push for better mental health

Education

Creating awareness, understanding and prevention through the sharing of knowledge

Connection

Using digital to connect individuals to their goals, bringing people and communities together and sparking conversations

Health & Wellbeing

Promoting lifelong healthy habits through a challenge, daily exercise and encouragement and raising funds for mental health

By delivering on our key foundations of education, connection, and health and wellbeing,
we will push for – and achieve – a more physically and mentally healthy future for all Australians.

Our flagship event is The Push-Up Challenge, which delivers on our three key foundations. The Push-Up Challenge brings people together to actively improve their mental health and/or the mental health of their community.

This annual event provides a platform to engage people in mental health, to get fit, to connect with others, and to learn about mental health.

Funds raised through The Push-Up Challenge are used to:

Support our charity partners, Lifeline and headspace to provide critical mental health services
Run the event and ensure The Push For Better Foundation can continue to operate and run The Push-Up Challenge in future years
Equip Student Ambassadors across Australia with the tools and resources needed to encourage their schools and local community to get fit and learn about mental health by joining in The Push-Up Challenge
Fund and/or develop new initiatives to address existing gaps in mental health promotion and service provision.

Our Board

Nick Hudson - ceo & chairperson

With a background in engineering plus a Master of Business Administration, Nick brings his talent for delivering strategy and start-ups to life as the founder of The Push-Up Challenge. Nick leads a small but mighty team and is a constant inspiration to others with his unwavering passion for raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Recently awarded Mental Health Advocate of the Year WA, and with his own lived experience of mental health, Nick is the embodiment of how connecting with others, valuing physical and mental wellbeing and a bit of banter for good measure, can lead to better mental health outcomes for all Australians.

Peran Bishop - Non-Executive Director

Peran has been on board with The Push-Up Challenge since day dot and has strong experience in systems, sales, product development and marketing. Peran is all about giving back to his community and is well known for volunteering with many grassroots organisations. Recently recognised as Club Person of the Year at his surf lifesaving club, Peran believes in the power of connection and physical wellbeing in bringing people together.

Brenton Laws - Non-Executive Director

A leader in innovation and business development, Brenton has a proven track record in finance, economics, strategy and commercial development. With a Masters of Business Administration and a member of the Australian Institute of Directors, Brenton knows that quality governance can help shape better communities and outcomes for everyone. Brenton is currently heading up the Innovation and Development team at Western Power and continues to step up for other NFP organisations with his financial skills.

Heather McIntyre - Non-Executive Director

A lawyer with a history in private practice, oil and gas, not for profit and government sectors, Heather has a knack for detail, problem solving and advocacy. As a long-term volunteer with a number of charities including Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House and The Humanitarian Group, Heather firmly believes in sharing her skills and contributing to the communities that need help the most. Spending time as President of the not-for-profit organisation, Leading Youth Forward, Heather knows first-hand the importance of mentoring at risk teens and how a positive presence can lead to better mental health outcomes.

As a charity, we are very conscious of our costs. We keep our team small and we lean on some very generous volunteers where we can.

We are committed to keeping administration and support costs to a minimum without compromising our core objective of improving mental health for as many Australians as we can.

Read our annual report to find out more about The Push for Better Foundation.