Phillip Island crew push up for mental health

CREW members from the Phillip Island Fire Brigade will be taking on The Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness for Mental Health.

Starting from Thursday, June 1, each member will have 23 days to complete 3144 push-ups.

The figure 3144 represents the number of people who lost their lives to suicide in Australia in 2021.

The crew are doing the challenge to help shine the spotlight on the issue and help reduce the stigma around mental health.

Jamie, a Phillip Island Fire Brigade volunteer, will be putting in the effort to help raise awareness.

He has been personally impacted by witnessing a loved one’s struggle and is happy to do it, even if it helps one person.

“Mental health plays such a big role in everyday life. Everyone struggles in different ways and to varying degrees, so I feel lucky to take part in a challenge that helps continue to raise awareness. I‘ve had people close to me go through tough times mentally, and thankfully they were able to reach out and are now on a better path. If this helps even one person get out of a similar position, then the team will be so glad for the work they will be putting in.”

Jamie will be in good company with his firefighting colleagues pushing up beside him and crew mate Simon is looking forward to bonding, while getting to work on his strength and fitness.

“Volunteering as a firefighter requires you to have trust in your peers, so an activity where we can push each other, laugh (and hopefully not cry) is a great chance to bond with the team. Gaining some more upper body strength will also help with the physical aspects of the role,” Simon said.

The physical challenge of doing 3114 push ups over 23 days which equates to about 135 push ups per day, seemed a bit too easy for Jamie, who has decided to push the bar on the push up challenge.

“In terms of how many push-ups, as Simon said its 3114 over 23 days but I'm going to go for double, to really put myself through the wringer,” said Jamie.

People are invited to join a participating group or support someone who is taking part. Funds raised goes to one of three beneficiaries: Lifeline, Movember, or the Push for Better Foundation.

Check out the Phillip Island Fire Brigade’s Facebook Page for more information or to support the team through a donation https://www.facebook.com/phillipislandcfa