Tara Murray
Imagine doing 1534 burpees across 17 days?
That’s what a number of stars of the stage and sporting world are putting themselves through to help young Aussies bounce back from mental ill-health.
MC and entertainer Brihony Dawson and Richmond coach Damien Hardwick are among those that have stepped up to support Orygen’s Burpee Bounce Back Challenge which starts today.
Also throwing their support behind the challenge are Read the Play, a mental health literacy program, and Geelong Football Club players Mark Blicavs and Mark O’Connor, who serve as player wellbeing officers through the program.
Orygen, which is Australia’s centre of excellence in youth mental health, runs a number of services across Melbourne’s north-west, including headspace at Sunshine.
The aim is for participants to complete 1534 burpees over 17 days in recognition of the 1534 under-17s diagnosed with a mental illness in Australia every day, while raising money to help care for young people with mental ill-health.
Youth mental health advocate Brihony Dawson knows how important it is to raise awareness and funds to support young people to live their best lives.
“Three in four young Aussies experience mental ill-health before they turn 25, and with the additional challenges in the world today they need our support more than ever,” Ms Dawson said.
“I encourage everyone who can to get involved – every cent you raise will help Orygen deliver services that really make a difference. Plus, you can have fun and get fit at the same time!”
Emily Unity is a young person who has experienced mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD and ADHD. She knows all too well how vital getting the right care at the right time can be.
“Orygen is the first place where I experienced youth mental health support that was focused on the needs of the young person, not the clinicians. Your support for this challenge can help change the narrative for young people and sincerely save lives.”
Orygen executive director Professor Patrick McGorry said the efforts of fundraisers were crucial to bolstering mental health services for young people who were doing it especially tough.
“Young people’s lives have been disrupted more than any other age group as a result of the pandemic. If taking part in this challenge means even one more young person gets the care they need to thrive, that is something to be celebrated,” he said
Anyone can take part in the challenge and can tackle the 1534 target individually, or get together with friends, family or colleagues as a team and share the burpee load.
Find out more and register here: www.burpeebounceback.org.au/register
