Members of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) have done more than 3,000 push-ups this month in the name of boosting mental health awareness.
Wrapping up the 24-day competition, the Authority said CFA members from across the State had been taking part in the 2022 Push-Up Challenge to help increase conversations about mental health.
“Roughly 130 push-ups per day, the 3,139 push-ups completed during the challenge represents the number of Australians who died by suicide in 2020 (the latest data available),” the CFA said.
Ferntree Gully CFA 4th Lieutenant Rohan Laing, who took part in the Challenge, said there were two main reasons behind it.
“It’s a great way to raise money for the charities that are supported by the event,” Lieutenant Laing said.
“As well as this, we know that many first responders suffer from elevated levels of psychological stress, at almost three times the national average,” he said.
“As firefighters this really shows how important it is to look after our mental health but also our physical health, so the challenge of completing 3,139 push-ups was also a motivating factor.”
Lieutenant Laing said the Ferntree Gully team had helped each other throughout the Challenge and were supported by their entire brigade.
He said attitudes towards mental health were changing.
“As firefighters it’s important to take care of our bodies due to the demands of the job, but what is often an afterthought is looking after our mental health too,” Lieutenant Laing said
“I believe the attitudes are changing for the better and the ‘just suck it up’ mentality is becoming a thing of the past,” he said.
“We’re seeing the importance of taking care of our mental health being discussed much more openly.”
Lieutenant Laing encouraged all CFA members to take advantage of the services available to them.
“I’ve used the CFA wellbeing services on a number of occasions and will always encourage others to do the same if they are struggling,” he said.
“It’s important to reach out.”
