Schools
Get your school involved in the push for better mental health.
Express your interest in 2024
Sign your school up for Australia's largest mental health and fitness event
We believe that education is the single most important tool for breaking down the stigma and fostering open conversations about mental health.
The Push-Up Challenge is a unique and fun way for schools to encourage better mental health and wellbeing through connection, physical activity and education.
Prioritising the mental and physical health of your staff and students will be one of the best things your school does this year.
In 2023, participants were challenged to complete 3,144 push-ups over 23 days as we put a spotlight on the number of lives lost to suicide in 2021. We know - that's a lot of push-ups. But don't sweat it, any exercise goes, from star jumps to cartwheels to sit ups and squats.
In June 2024, a new challenge will begin, and we'd love to have your school involved.
"Less than a quarter of kids aged 5–14 undertake the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day."
Why join the challenge
Free to sign up
It doesn't cost anything to join us in the push for better mental health.
Reduces stigma
Talking about mental health reduces the stigma and can encourage people to seek help when they need it.
Fosters a positive team spirit where people encourage each other
Support your school mates and keep each other motivated.
Fundraise for mental health
Opt to raise money for mental health services and providers.
Generate healthy competition
Get students and teachers to compete or get classes, factions and sibling schools to create a push-up competition.
Learn about mental health together
Get clued up about mental health and how to support yourself and others.
It can shape up like this
People can sign up solo, as part of a team or a community. Most schools will have at least one team or multiple teams which form a community.
Community
This is a collection of teams. Perfect for your school.
Team
Up to 10 students (or staff) participating together to form a team.
Solo legend
Anyone can sign up as a solo participant and they’ll have the support of the entire push-up crew behind them.
"Being an all-boys school, The Push Up Challenge has made extremely valuable advancements in my peers ability to have those hard, vulnerable conversations in a really casual but effective way. For the senior students, it’s provided us with competition, an outlet for stress and several important reminders to keep on looking after ourselves mentally and physically while we’re so caught up in school."
Dylan, St Bede's College, VIC
How you feel after the challenge
We surveyed hundreds of 2023 participants, these were their post-event vibes ...
97% Learnt about mental health.
98% Felt motivated to exercise.
96% Felt it made seeking help easier.
Can Primary Schools join the challenge?
We've had a heap of primary schools take part - all it takes is a little adapting of the push-ups and mental health content to ensure it is age appropriate. Register your school's interest and we can send you more info.
Want more?
Check out this Case Study from Dungog High School, NSW for an insight into how the event works in the school setting, as well as the impact it can have on students, teachers and the whole school community.
