Personnel push for better mental health

Navy raised $76,984 for mental health charities in this year's Push-Up Challenge, with a cheque marking the achievement presented at Navy HQ in Canberra on September 8.

DCN RADM Darren Grogan presented the cheque on behalf of personnel, families, friends, veterans and supporters to Push-Up Challenge Chief Executive Officer Nicole Cikarela.

The fundraising effort was the highest by any team-based organisation participating in the challenge and helped raise awareness of mental health support services and wellbeing across the Navy community.

Navy people, both ashore and at sea, took part in this year's challenge from June 3 to 26, joining thousands of Australians raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing.

The money raised by about 900 Navy members across 63 teams will support mental health organisations Lifeline, Headspace and Push for Better. 

These charities deliver crisis support, prevention and early intervention services to all Australians.

During the 23-day challenge, participants completed daily push-up targets linked to Australia’s mental health statistics, while engaging with educational content to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues. 

Navy people completed a remarkable 1,479,524 push-ups, with many members completing more than 200 push-ups each day. 

Director General Navy People CDRE Ryan Gaskin said this number reflected the shared Navy spirit.

“Navy’s results speak volumes about our people’s desire to pull together – or in this case ‘push’ together – in support of our community and for those doing it tough,” CDRE Gaskin said.

HMAS Sydney’s crew were one of Navy’s leading teams in the challenge and completed 60,245 push-ups between them, while Navy’s lead fundraising team was the Boatswains Department on board HMAS Brisbane.

HMAS Albatross had the biggest team in the challenge, with 82 members completing an average of 1822 push-ups each.

Albatross PTI CPO Christopher Vale said the challenge brought a large contingent of the team together for a common purpose.

“Being part of a bigger initiative, motivating team mates to stick with it, connecting with others – these are all things that improve personal resilience and mental health,” CPO Vale said.

Director Navy Wellbeing CAPT Dina Kinsman said the Push-Up Challenge was a fantastic way for Navy members to support the wider community, while contributing to their own wellbeing, fitness and team camaraderie.

“We know how important physical activity is as an overall wellbeing factor for our members, and as part of our everyday roles,” CAPT Kinsman said.

“There’s clear and proven links between regular physical activity and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as increased resilience.”

CDRE Gaskin acknowledged the significance of Navy members raising awareness for mental health.

“I think we’ve become inherently attuned and positively disposed to the risks of mental health across Navy, particularly in the wake of Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide,” he said.

“As we implement the Royal Commission’s recommendations, the Push-Up Challenge served as a rallying call to highlight the importance of conversations and normalising seeking support early.

“I know for myself, and for many in our team in Navy People Branch, we were feeling stronger, sleeping better and had a genuine sense of achievement as we neared the end.”