Push-Up Challenge 2026

Nov 26, 2025

Join Canada’s largest mental health and fitness event.

The Push-Up Challenge returns and it’s a great opportunity to use physical fitness as a way of navigating mental health. There is also an opportunity to raise funds for CMHA Northern BC.

How the Challenge Works

2,000 Push-ups (or alternates!)
23 days
One push-up for each life lost to suicide every day globally
February 5 – 27

Why It Matters

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Canadians each year, yet stigma prevents many from seeking help. Studies show that BC has some of the highest rates of stigma against people with mental illness. Events like The Push-Up Challenge provide an opportunity to raise awareness, spark conversations, and create real change—one push-up at a time.

“This is more than a fitness challenge—it’s a movement,” says Elaine Laberge, Executive Director of CMHA Northern BC.

“Mental health affects everyone, and we need to normalize conversations around it. Whether you do push-ups, sit-ups, or another exercise, every rep represents someone struggling in silence. Let’s push together for change.”

A Growing Movement for Mental Health

Originally founded in Australia in 2017, The Push-Up Challenge has grown into the country’s largest mental health and fitness event, engaging over 700,000 participants and raising $50 million for mental health initiatives.

This year, CMHA of Northern BC invites individuals, workplaces, schools, gyms, and community groups across the region to get involved.

Join the Movement

For more information and local participation details, contact:

Elaine Laberge
Executive Director, CMHA of Northern BC
250-649-8222
elainelaberge@cmhanorthernbc.ca

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Donate to Support the Push-Up Challenge 2026

About The Push-Up Challenge

Founded in Australia in 2017, The Push-Up Challenge started as a friendly fitness challenge among four friends and has since grown into a global movement for mental health awareness. 2026 marks the second year of the event in Canada, providing a fun, engaging, and meaningful way for people to support mental health. The challenge runs from February 5–27, 2026. For more information or to register, visit www.thepushupchallenge.ca

About the Canadian Mental Health Association

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is one of Canada’s most established and extensive community mental health organizations. With a presence in more than 330 communities across the country, CMHA provides advocacy, programs, and resources that help prevent mental health problems, support recovery, and enable all Canadians to thrive. Learn more at www.cmha.ca

About CMHA of Northern BC

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Northern BC, established in 1963, has been a cornerstone of mental health advocacy and support for over six decades. As the voice of mental wellness in northern BC, this branch champions a vision where mental health is a universal human right, delivering compassionate, community-driven services to address mental health and substance use challenges across diverse populations. Learn more at www.northernbc.ca