This is your third year doing the Challenge! Why do you continue taking part each year?
In 2022, when I was in Year 12, I found out about The Push-Up Challenge and became a Student Ambassador for my school. The community the Challenge creates is truly amazing, and the support I received to break the stigma around mental health challenges in my school was next-level.
The training on how to share my own mental health journey safely really helped me to not only feel confident in implementing the Challenge, but also allowed me to reflect on my own journey. I was able to open up about my struggles and even had students approach me to say thank you and that they felt less alone.
Can you share a little more about your mental health journey?
Throughout my childhood I had always felt different to other children I was around, and faced consistent bullying. This ultimately led to me developing depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder quite early in my life. I felt as if nobody would understand me, and that I would be judged if I reached out for help.
Once I reached my secondary school years, I faced a pretty steady decline with my mental health. I attempted to take my own life on multiple occasions. I couldn't make sense of how I was feeling, I didn't know how to reach out for help, and I was so worried about how others would see me if they knew I needed extra support to manage day-to-day life. When I began to decline, I didn't see a way out, and I really felt like nobody understood me. I felt like I should just give up and that there was no point in trying to get better or speaking to somebody.
What advice would you give to someone else experiencing similar feelings?
I want people to know that they are never alone, no matter how much it feels like it. There are so many people out there who want to help and see you thrive. You deserve help and support. Receiving support will not make you any less of a person, and there is every chance that once you begin to receive that additional support, you'll find your true self again.
It's a tough journey to travel (even with support), but it is so worth it. I have gone from feeling so alone and having no interest in life, to now beginning to love life once again. Please reach out to someone if you feel you need some extra support, and always know that there are so many places and people, such as Lifeline and headspace, that are there to help.
What were a few things that helped you deal with this difficult time and start to come out the other side?
I found that connecting with other people going through their own mental health struggles, particularly of a similar age, really helped me to find the courage to get help and feel understood. It's one thing to receive professional support, which I still receive to this day, but it's another to find people who can understand exactly what you're going through.
At the height of my struggles, and even now, I find myself scrolling social media to find others sharing their journey which I find gives me that little extra boost. I also tried to stay engaged in the community through sport and dance, so that I still had that social connectedness and outlets to express myself.
I benefited greatly from trying to set goals for the future, and picture myself in my ideal world. My dream at the time was to go on to further study, and to share my mental health journey with others, and I've managed to achieve both of those things! I also have a little sausage dog at home who helps me tremendously. Animals have always been a huge support for me.
How are you feeling these days?
I still have ups and downs with my mental health, although now I try to focus more on the positive things happening in my life and how I can have an impact on those around me. I still receive support from a mental health team, and that's ok! I can now understand myself much more and know when to reach out to my team for additional support.
What sorts of things do you do today to maintain mental wellbeing?
I spend lots of time with my pets, attend regular therapy sessions (even if I'm feeling ok!), participate in mental health advocacy, volunteer with the local hospital as I get lots out of helping the community, exercise, and ensure I am in regular connection with my friends.
Ever since I was a child, dance and sport have been key ways for me to express how I’m feeling in a safe way, and the endorphins that exercising release gives my mood that little boost.
Why do you think it’s important that more Aussies get behind the push for better mental health this year?
It is so important that more Aussies get behind the push for better mental health, as there are a huge amount of Aussies who are either going through struggles with their mental health, know someone personally struggling, or know someone who has taken their life.
Being involved with The Push-Up Challenge makes me feel like I'm making even just a slight difference in someone's life. The light that the Challenge brings to mental health is what sets it apart from other fundraisers.
The Push-Up Challenge plays an important part in providing funds to headspace, The Push For Better Foundation and Lifeline so that they can continue to provide much-needed mental health services and interventions to Australians. We as a community all need to play our part in pushing for better mental health – and the more individuals who participate, the more funds and awareness we can raise.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a Student Ambassador for, or participating in, TPUC?
To anybody thinking of becoming a Student Ambassador for The Push-Up Challenge, please do it! You’ll be given all the support and resources you need to make sure that your school's Challenge experience (and your Ambassador experience) is amazing. There are so many opportunities that the Student Ambassador Program provides for students.
To anybody else who is thinking of being involved in The Push-Up Challenge, you will have the best experience, all whilst helping raise key funds and awareness for mental health! It opens up so many conversations, and the Challenge is great fun. The funds raised by the Challenge have a positive impact on many Australians - and could even have an impact on you.
Our Student Ambassadors are now locked in for 2024 and we are so excited to see them lead the push for better mental health. Expressions of interest for the 2025 program are open here.
