Doing it for our youth: Headspace lifting up mental health in Darwin one push-up at a time

Headspace Darwin has launched a colossal fitness challenge to turn discussions around sore arms into normalising mental health.

The NT Administrator Hugh Heggie and Ms Ruth Jones lending their muscles to the challenge. Image: Headspace Darwin

Tired and in achy pain, Himanshu Rai said his arms have never been so sore in his life.

But that is what happens when you attempt to do 3,214 push ups in 23 days.

The community engagement team leader at Headspace Darwin is just one person to take on the hefty arm workout in the name of mental health.

The Headspace Darwin team doing their part in the Push-up Challenge. Image: Headspace Darwin

The team in the centre has been joined by Nightcliff Middle School, NT Police canine operation unit and local faces such as the NT Health Minister, Steve Edgington, and Minister for Sport and Culture, Jinson Charls, and Chief Minister Lia Finocciaro even attempting a few.

The challenge which runs from June 4 to June 26 is being run by Headspace to help raise awareness around mental health and hopefully raise funds in the process.

Mr Rai said the specific number of push-ups, 3,214, was chosen to represent the number of people who took their lives in Australia in 2023.

The NT Health Minister, Steve Edgington, the Honourable Minister for People, Sport and Culture, Jinson Charls, and the Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro took part. Image: Headspace Darwin

“I’ve never had this much soreness,” he said.

“But it’s a challenge that comes with a purpose.

“When you’re doing it, it’s starting conversations about raising awareness about mental health or suicide awareness.

“We want to make these conversations feel normal, safe and actually kind of cool.

“We live in a place where Darwin is so connected, everyone knows each other, and so it becomes even more vital to have more conversations about these topics.”

Some people are swimming lengths to go towards to the push-up challenge. Image: Headspace Darwin

Mr Rai said the physical activity also helps promote the fact that it can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Alongside the challenge, Headspace Darwin are hosted a movie night at the Deckchair Cinema on June 15 with 10 Things I Hate About You to help bring a bit of connection and fun.

All the money raised from the challenge and movie night goes back into the Headspace centre to support the work being done to offer a safe space for young people.

One of the rooms in the Headspace Darwin centre. Image: Headspace Darwin

Whether it is offering support with mental health, work and study, alcohol and drugs abuse, physical health or early psychosis, Mr Rai said they try and offer a judgement-free space during a turbulent time.

“We’re not trying to fix anyone,” he said. “We’re just trying to work together with the young people and trying to give them some options, and work together in a way where they can find the answers themselves.”

Originally published as Doing it for our youth: Headspace lifting up mental health in Darwin one push-up at a time