Nearly 2,000 Edmontonians take part in national ‘Push Up Challenge’ for mental health

Nearly 2,000 Edmontonians are taking part in a push-up challenge to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The Canadian Mental Health Association YEG is challenging people to exercise and “bulk up” for a good cause.

More than 1,800 Edmontonians are taking part in “The Push-Up Challenge” where each person will complete 2,000 push-ups between today and Feb. 27 in support of mental health.

Individuals, workplaces, schools and clubs around the country are taking on the 2,000 push-ups to remember and honour the approximately 2,000 lives worldwide that are lost to suicide each day and raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

“The whole idea is that you can do some of those push-ups on your own, do some of them with other people, your friends, or at home,” said executive director Giri Puligandla. “It’s meant to be an opportunity for people to come together and push for fitness goals that make ourselves feel better and also raises awareness about mental health and shows what action on mental health can look like.

Each day, participants complete their push-ups while learning about mental health. The CMHA adds that if completing 2,000 push-ups feels out of reach, people can set their own push-up goal or choose exercise alternatives like sit-ups, squats or tailored exercises with progress tracked through an app.

Edmontonians raised close to $100,000 last year, which Puligandla thinks can be definitely beaten.

“We want to do better than that. Calgary made about $200,000 last year and we can beat Calgary this year. That would be amazing.”

Since 2024, the initiative has attracted 120,000 Canadians to raise more than $6 million for the CMHA.

“Having good physical activity, eating well, sleeping well, having social connection, those are some of the foundations for good mental health. But I think it’s also about the challenge,” added Puligandla. “Somebody who’s really struggling with their mental health, just getting out of bed and doing normal activities can be a challenge.”

“I haven’t done a push-up in at least a year, if not longer than that. So for me, just thinking about getting down and doing some push-ups reminds me of what many people have to deal with every day.

“If they can push towards their own wellness and recovery, I can do a few push-ups.”

This is the third year of The Push-Up Challenge. More information can be found on their website.