Thank you for pushing for better mental health in 2025

Feb 27, 2025

A note from Erin Terwissen, National Senior Manager, Community Giving at CMHA National

Dear participants of The Push-Up Challenge 2025, 

I. Am. In. Awe. 

For the second year in a row, we challenged you to join us in pushing for better mental health by participating in The Push-Up Challenge.  

It was, once again, a very big ask: complete 2,000 push-ups (or an alternative exercise) over just 18 days.  

And you blew me – and the entire CMHA team across Canada – away.  

You not only did your push-ups – with such tenacity and style! – but we moved the needle on mental health by raising awareness and vitally-needed funds that will help people in communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast. 

We’re amazed by the positive turnout and cannot thank you enough for pushing with us.  

Here’s what your dedicated efforts achieved: 

Over 70,000 of you registered for the challenge with enthusiasm and commitment, completing over 60 million push-ups! 

Over the course of 18 days, you shared your progress, personal stories of mental health struggles and resilience, and positivity. You helped push mental health into the open, all while connecting with those who share the same passion for mental health and supporting each other through open and caring conversations.

Over $3.9 million was raised for CMHAs across Canada. 

These critical funds will support people living with mental illness, prevent mental illness and promote mental health and resilience for all Canadians. 

When we look at all we accomplished in just 18 days, we are astounded. Your dedication motivates us in our ongoing fight for mental health, and the funds you’ve raised help ensure everyone has access to the mental health care and supports they need in their own community. Thank you.

If you would like to continue to support CMHA, visit www.cmha.ca/donate to make a difference today.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) 
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health federation in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and the Yukon, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, visit cmha.ca. 

About The Push-Up Challenge  
Founded by Nick Hudson in Perth, Australia in 2017, The Push-Up Challenge began as a challenge between four friends and has grown to become Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, with more than 700,000 participants raising more than $50 million AUD and completing more than 1 billion push-ups to date. 2025 marks The Push-Up Challenge’s ninth year in Australia and second in Canada.