I’m Jerado — dad to a wonderful 7-year-old year old girl and husband to beautiful lady. I’m glad these challenges exist to spread awareness.
I’m doing this fundraiser for mental health because it’s something deeply personal.
Most days, it feels like there’s not enough time or energy to go around. Between work stress and responsibilities at home, I often find myself mentally and physically worn out. Like many others, I put on a brave face and just keep going.
I’m trying to juggle the demands of a job while being present for my wife, our daughter, and my parents, all of whom need support in different ways. My parents are facing constant setbacks, especially while trying to renovate their new home, and I want to be there for them, but it’s hard to keep up.
My wife is a lower grade teacher. Her days are filled with children who need so much of her attention and care. She gives everything she has to her classroom, and by the time she gets home, she’s exhausted. We both give so much to others that we often forget to leave something for ourselves or each other.
I’ve also been struggling with my own health, especially gut issues that are clearly linked to stress. And underneath it all is a constant sense of guilt. I feel guilty for not having enough energy at the end of the day, for not always being present, for not being able to do it all.
That guilt stretches even further when I think about my siblings. I know they are probably facing their own silent battles too, but I don’t always have the time or mental space to check in properly. Days go by, and I realise I haven’t called, and that adds to the weight I’m already carrying.
It’s the same with my extended family overseas. Since immigrating, I haven’t seen many of them. They’re going through their own struggles, and being far away makes it harder. There’s a constant feeling of helplessness when you know people you care about are hurting, but you can’t be there.
My younger brother went through a serious mental health crisis and is on a long road to recovery. That shook our whole family. I’m grateful we’ve had some support from government services, but I’ve seen how limited and stretched those resources can be.
Many of my friends are also under pressure, supporting their families, working through personal challenges, or facing strain in their relationships. It’s a quiet kind of struggle that surrounds us more than we realise.
This fundraiser is for them. For my brother, my wife, my parents, my siblings, and my family overseas. It’s for anyone who is doing their best while running on empty. Mental health is not just about emergencies. It’s about the day-to-day weight we all carry, and the support we all deserve.
Free Palestine
Dedicated to: Rujero
Supporting headspace Ipswich
My Challenge History
Pushuperer for 1 year
| Push-Ups | Funds | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,214 | $1,195 |
| Total | 3,214 | $1,195 |
