The 22-Pushup Challenge might become a new sensation on social media, following the steps of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Movie stars and U.S. Olympians are already joining this new internet wave that seeks to raise awareness about veterans’ suicide.
The new challenge aims to promote awareness about Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and help U.S. veterans who need help not to commit suicide. The 22-Pushup challenge is also honoring the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. The initiative comes as an effort from the awareness group “22 kill”, which is encouraging everyone to participate for veteran suicide prevention. After performing the challenge, following the instructions provided by “22 kill,” people can nominate another person to take part in it.
The 22-Pushup Challenge consists of doing as many pushups as participants can, to contribute to veteran’s suicide prevention. The group has stated that the number of push ups does not matter as long as they are conducted with the intention of expressing support for those who serve in the country.
Participants can go on their Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter account to publish a video with the challenge. As the video’s introductory part, participants need to identify themselves and say the reasons why they are pushing for.
Participants should include two hashtags, one indicating the number of pushups performed (e.g. #5pushups) and one that re-directs to the group’s channel, #22KILL.
PSTD treatment programs
Sharleen Gray, a suicide prevention coordinator for the Saginaw VA, said 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Rates of suicide among female veterans have increased 80 percent over the last 16 years.
Gray attributes the statistics to military sexual abuse, PSTD-related issues and other psycho-social factors. She supports the 22-Pushup challenge and hopes that the idea helps veterans.
Stephen Swender, a clinical psychologist at the Veterans Affairs hospital, spoke up about her program to treat PSTD and prevent suicide. Swender stated that the success of PSTD treatments would reduce suicide rates among veterans.
“We have a PTSD treatment program that specialized in treating PTSD, reducing the symptoms and helping veterans increase the quality of their life. The biggest thing residents they can do is to encourage veterans to come to the VA,”said Swender.
Swender remarked that preventing vets’ suicide is a work that needs everyone’s contribution. In the case of knowing there is a veteran who is going through difficult times, residents can help by encouraging them to look for professional aid.
One of the primary objectives of the 22-Pushup challenge is to raise social awareness regarding the issue with the help of everyone. By raising awareness about PTSD, people would help veterans in hard situations.
Source: Fox News