More than 300 Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers are ‘pushing’ for mental health awareness.
To date, the 325 officers have collectively completed more than 400,000 push-ups and raised more than $13,000 towards the headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation.
Members complete 3,046 push-ups either as individuals or as part of a team, the figure significant as it represents the number of lives lost in Australia to suicide in 2018.
From Kowanyama to Rathdowney and Southport, QPS members formed teams to take on the challenge.
In a statement, the QPS said the challenge encouraged officers to leverage physical wellbeing to support their own mental wellbeing.
“Being part of our emergency services, responding to situations throughout their careers, our officers and staff members know all too well just how important mental health is,” the Service said.
“Whilst the officers and staff members are all coming together for this common cause, they are also banding together for each other — for those whose loved ones have suffered mental ill health and felt the effects of them having paid the ultimate price,” it said.
It said QPS members had been joined by members of the community from all around the State in a united effort.
“We recognise the efforts of all our participating officers and staff members for this great cause,” it said.
