Australians are being encouraged to join Orygen’s Burpee Bounce Back Challenge to help their own mental health and the mental health of young people.
The inaugural Burpee Bounce Back Challenge challenges people of all ages to increase their physical activity by completing 1534 burpees over 17 days.
The number of burpees represents the number of Australians aged 17 and under who are diagnosed with a mental health condition each and every day. By taking part, challengers raise funds for youth mental health pioneers Orygen.
Associate Professor Simon Rice, a clinician and researcher at Orygen said it had been a challenging year for many Australians, with a long bushfire season being closely followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Burpee Bounce Back Challenge recognises the difficulties people have faced and the impact this has had on their mental health; and provides an opportunity for everyone to show their commitment to mental health recovery,” Associate Professor Rice said.
“At Orygen, we are committed to helping young Australians recover from mental health challenges. Three in four Australians will experience a mental health challenge by the time they turn 25.
“Donations raised by the Burpee Bounce Back Challenge will assist us in working with young people, their families and friends, to develop new, positive approaches to preventing and treating mental disorders.”
The challenge’s first bounce will take place on Wednesday 14 October 2020 and will continue for 17 days until Friday 30 October 2020.
Associate Professor Rice said that by signing up to the challenge people could show solidarity with the 1534 young Australians who are diagnosed with a mental health condition daily.
“Mental ill-health can present huge challenges for the wellbeing of young people. Through people signing up to do something that’s challenging for them and by asking their friends and family to sponsor their massive commitment, Orygen will be able to continue its vital work to help improve the mental health outlook for young Australians.”
Signing up for the challenge is free. For full details and to register go to www.burpeebounceback.org.au