The SES volunteer ‘pushing’ for mental health awareness on the Limestone Coast

State Emergency Service (SES) Mount Gambier volunteer Adam McDonough is on a mental health mission, bringing together a group of Emergency Service volunteers and staff members on the Limestone Coast to take part in the Push Up Challenge for the second year in a row, raising essential funds and awareness for mental health.

Last year’s efforts saw SES and MFS representatives from Mount Gambier and Gawler complete a total of 3,214 push ups, with a donation total of $2,500 going to Lifeline South East SA, who offer a number of crisis support and helplines, including Care Ring a daily phone check in for people isolated or living alone. A number of other emergency services are also taking part in their own Push Up Challenges, including SAPOL, CFS and SAAS.

The cause is particularly important for Adam, who now also works for the SES as an RPA Support Officer, alongside his voluntary role as a Training Coordinator in Mount Gambier. Emergency responders can often be faced with confronting and distressing scenes when responding to incidents such as road crash rescues, or land searches for missing people. SES, MFS and CFS volunteers and staff, and their immediate families, are provided with access to a Stress Prevention and Management program, which offers critical incident stress counselling from qualified Psychologists and Social Workers.

“First responders are the first ones to expose themselves to traumatic events every day, seeing and hearing things that live with us” says Adam.

“Due to this we often face mental health challenges due to the nature of our work, but we don't need to carry it all on our own, we can reach out and ask for help, as a sign of strength.”

“The push-up challenge is a fantastic way to demonstrate and come together to support not only first responders but the community as a whole.”

The importance of looking after your mental health is never lost on Emergency Service volunteers, and Adam is increasing the bar this year with a target of 3,307 push ups – the number of lives lost in Australia to mental health in 2024. The challenge is open to all abilities, allowing for substitutions such as sit-ups and squats.

While push-ups can be recorded at home, Mount Gambier SES will host a number of community events throughout the month of June, with those looking to support the Limestone Coast team able to follow along with their progress and donate here.

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 one of the world’s most successful mental health and fitness events. 2026 will mark The Push-Up Challenge’s tenth year in Australia, third in Canada and first in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The Challenge is a fun way for participants to connect with one another, get fit, and learn about mental health, with participants encouraged to raise money for mental health charities. The event is free to take part in and will run in Australia from 3 to 26 June 2026. For more information visit www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/home