For the fourth year in a row, Justin Lippiatt is participating in the nationwide Push-Up Challenge initiative to raise awareness of mental health and funds for Lifeline.
The general manager of Yandina Station aims to complete 3249 push-ups alongside his colleagues in honour of the 3000-plus Australian lives lost to suicide in 2022.
Mr Lippiatt has completed more than 1700 push-ups so far.
He said his focus this year had shifted from those struggling with addiction to youths, saying “they have unprecedented access to technology and social media, exposing them to the good, the bad and the ugly”.
“In the last decade, self-harm among 10- to 14-year-olds has increased by 300 per cent,” he said.
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“In 2022, one-third of all suicides in Australia were among people aged 15 to 24, and 10 per cent of 14- to15-year-olds self-harmed last year, with 5 per cent attempting suicide.
“We need to be doing something for the younger people and I am conscious of the social pressures that they are under.”
He also recently teamed up with MIX FM’s Mark and Caroline at an open broadcast at White’s IGA in Forest Glen, encouraging others to join the Push-Up Challenge and support Lifeline.
Mr Lippiatt is also actively involved in the business community as the vice-president of the 4556 Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the 2032 Olympics Task Force Environment and Sustainability Committee.
He is also a director with Sober in the Country, an organisation supporting rural Australians struggling with addiction. The charity’s support service, Bush Tribe, is a private online peer group with 700 members, providing help and directing individuals with addiction issues to professional counselling services.
Mr Lippiatt, who has been sober for 26 years, has raised $200 towards his $500 goal since the challenge began on June 5, and more than $1000 in total since he started participating four years ago.
“It’s a cause that needs more attention, and I am committed to making a difference,” he said.
“Every push-up is dedicated to supporting a young person struggling with mental health.”
This year’s challenge runs until June 28. To donate click here.
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