Lachlan Li did 3249 push-ups this year, equivalent to the number of Australians who died of suicide. Photo: Supplied.
CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses suicide and mental health issues.
A Canberra ambassador of Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event – The Push-Up Challenge – says the federal government’s planned ban on social media for under 16s is a way of ‘silencing’ young people.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has argued that unrestricted access to social media has a negative impact on the mental health of children and young teenagers.
Telopea Park Year 10 student Lachlan Li, 15, agrees, but says a blanket ban could do more harm than good.
“I think it will also impact people’s ability to speak out about what they think is important, like climate activism. Social media is a way for people to relieve their climate anxiety,” Lachlan said.
“The ban is a way for government to silence young people, particularly the grassroots social activism movements that have come from media, like School Strike 4 Climate.
“I do think the government, in their hastiness to push this through, made the age too high. They’ve chosen 16 to show the public that they’re tough and innovative. However, I think this is the wrong approach – blanket banning leaves kids prone to trying to get around the ban, rather than leaving it up to them and their parents based on when they feel ready to ‘log in’.”
Lachlan said the state of the world today is fuelling mental health problems among his peers.
“A lot of people have climate anxiety; we are seeing politicians talk about it but not taking any meaningful action. People get stressed about that because it’s our future at stake … buying a house is also out of reach of young people.
“We watched the US election in class on Wednesday. There was a mood of despair [about Donald Trump’s election]. There were those who had a cry.”
The Year 10 student’s passion for youth mental health motivated him to participate in the annual Push-Up Challenge for the past two years.
“The Push-Up Challenge is in June each year and it takes place across 24 days. This year, I did 3249 push-ups; that’s the number of Australians who died of suicide in 2022.
“I did about 180 a day, whenever I could, like the end of the lesson. People would see me doing the push-ups and ask me why I was doing it, and it would spark a conversation about mental health.
“It’s still difficult to speak to your friends about mental health. Toxic masculinity stops us talking about it,” he said.
Student Ambassadors such as Lachlan lead their school friends, teachers and school community in The Push-Up Challenge by cheering them on to get active, have fun and learn about mental health.
Push Up Challenge founder Nick Hudson said those completing Year 10, 11 and Year 12 in 2025 anywhere in Australia can apply to be a Student Ambassador and make a difference to the mental health of their school community.
“Young people are those least likely of any age group in Australia to seek professional help for mental health issues. Reducing the stigma attached to mental health challenges and seeking help is crucial, as the more we can educate young people about it, the more they will think proactively about their mental wellbeing,” Nick said.
This year, 218,000 Australians took part in The Push-Up Challenge, collectively completing 317 million push-ups in 24 days and raising over $12 million for mental health charities Lifeline, headspace and The Push For Better Foundation.
In 2025, the Push-Up Challenge will again take place in June, and participants will complete a set number of push-ups across three weeks to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities.
To learn more about the 2025 Student Ambassador program and apply to take part, visit the Push Up Challenge website.
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