ELISA Zentveld is ready to push a big issue with her four teenage children. A daily target is set from Monday in a nationwide push-up challenge to raise awareness for youth mental health body headspace.
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Dr Zentveld is no stranger to pressing out the 3,046 push-up goal within 21 days, having led a Federation University and City of Ballarat team last year that started with a planking session outside the town hall.
As a family violence researcher for FedUni, Dr Zentveld said this was a way to highlight issues that too often went unnoticed - like a new study finding 20 per cent of women who took their own lives had experienced or witnessed family violence as a child.
Dr Zentveld said the challenge also helped educate her teenagers on the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
And, the challenge was a way to stay motivated during isolation.
"Participating is a way of challenging ourselves and each other," Dr Zentveld said. "We used to regularly go to the gym as a family and it was a thing we did that connected us and we enjoyed doing together."
The 3,046 push-ups represents Australian lives lost to suicide last year.
READ MORE:
Details: thepushupchallenge.com.au.
If you or anyone you know is in need of crisis support, call LIFELINE: 13 11 14
Help is also available but not limited via
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au
headspace Ballarat (for 12-25s and parent support): 5304 4777
Family violence: 1800 RESPECT
Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
Ballarat Community Health: 5338 4500
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