Starter Guide
You're about to do something great.
2,000 push-ups over 18 days to represent the ~2,000 lives lost to suicide each day, worldwide.
It's a big challenge, but your efforts can make a big difference to mental health outcomes in Canada.
Keep scrolling or click through these 5 sections below to find out how:
Challenge Checklist
Download the Push for Better app to bank push-ups, and receive updates and info from us.
Recruit some teammates
Invite friends, family, or work colleagues to get on board. Check out our "Team and Community info" section below on how you can push as part of a team or community.
Fundraise
This is optional, but if we all raise a little, we can make a big impact. If you're able and willing, we encourage you to raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association. See our "Fundraising" section below for tips and more information.
Push yourself
From Feb 11-28, you will receive a daily push-up target inspired by an important mental health fact. Sundays are rest days, or a time to play catch up if you need. Stay tuned via the app or our socials for daily push-up targets.
Practice
Squeeze in a push-up or two before the event kicks off to get those muscles primed.
Check out our Push-Up Variation Guide to perfect your form.
The mental health facts will give you lots of opportunities to talk about this important topic. Conversation by conversation, we can reduce the stigma around mental ill-health.
Things You Need to Know
Make sure you download the free app to receive a daily reminder straight to your phone
Visit our website and log in to access your fundraising dashboard. This is where you can set a fundraising target, upload a profile pic, and share your reason for pushing to encourage donations.
If you are a Team Captain or Community Leader, you can also manage your Team or Community here.
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional tips. Be sure to tag us in your posts and use #pushforbetter so we can follow your push-up journey.
Team and Community Info
How to team up
People can sign up solo, as part of a Team or a Community. Most workplace organizations will have a Team at the very least, or multiple teams which form a Community.
For up to 10 people, create a Team
When you create a Team, you can invite people to join you and track your collective stats and individual rankings.
For >10 people, create a Community
A Community is a collection of Teams. When you create a Community, you can invite people to join or create their own Team within your Community. You can also track your collective stats, as well as see Team and individual rankings.
Fundraise to make a difference
The funds you raise through The Push-Up Challenge will help the Canadian Mental Health Association improve mental health outcomes across the country.
CMHA identifies and responds to Canada's most pressing mental health priorities on both a national and grassroots level. At a national level, they push for a nationwide system and social change. At a community level, millions of people in Canada rely on CMHA's extensive grassroots presence for mental health programs and services. Find out more about the impact your funds raised are having on mental health in Canada.
Our Top 3 Fundraising Tips
1. Ask family and friends to donate
Reach out directly via text or email to request support from your loved ones. A personal message and direct request can lead to big fundraising results. Here's an example:
"I am pushing myself to complete The Push-Up Challenge to raise much needed funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association. The challenge is to complete 2,000 push-ups in 18 days. This is important to me because ~2,000 lives are lost to suicide each day, worldwide. Will you donate to help me push for better mental health outcomes? You can donate here: [insert your individual fundraising link]."
2. Use these handy resources to help spread the word
3. Push each other with a little competition
If you've opted to participate as part of a Team or Community, why not start a little friendly competition to see who can achieve their fundraising target first?
