Registrations are now open for The Push-Up Challenge, an initiative of the Push for Better Foundation, taking place across Australia from 3 to 26 June.

Twenty-two-year-old Nick Weickart is more than ready to do his part. This will be the sixth consecutive year that Nick will participate in Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event.

He has a very personal reason for doing so.

In 2020, Nick’s best friend Robbie tragically took his life while they were both in Year 12 and making plans to attend the Australian National University together.

That date, 11 August, is the day that Nick says his life permanently changed, and it is tattooed on his arm to honour Robbie.

“I never want to forget that day, and I never want to forget Robbie,” he says.

“It’s a reminder of the day that my life changed … and to make sure that I make the most out of it”

Nick recalled the day that he learned his best friend had taken his life.

“I remember it still very clearly,” he says.

“I was in high school during my study period and I received a text message asking if he (Robbie) was at school today.

“Later in the afternoon, I was in the school gym and received another text message saying that he had … passed away in the morning.”

Nick reports that the shock upon receiving the news, led to him proceeding through the rest of the day, “in complete denial”.

“I don’t know how I did it,” he says. “It was surreal.”

It wasn’t until after school when Nick’s mother learned elsewhere of Robbie’s death and went to console Nick that he realised, “…this was real”.

“The 24 hours that followed were the most difficult 24 hours that I have experienced in my life,” he says.

Nick says he made a commitment after Robbie died to prioritise mental health always. Both his own and others.

“From that day onwards, life to me wasn’t the same,” he says.

“I viewed life in a completely different lens and realised how precious it is and how life can disappear in an instant. I appreciate every day now.”

During June, Nick will rally with other Push Up Challenge participants to complete 3,307 push-ups to remember and honour the 3,307 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2024.

Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, says, “Mental health challenges will affect nearly everyone at some point in their lives. So, whether they’re taking part themselves or supporting someone who is, we’re calling on every Australian to get behind the challenge, because every push-up, and every conversation about mental health, brings us one step closer to making a real difference.”

Money raised will support Lifeline, Headspace and the Push for Better Foundation.

Organisations like these, also including Menslink, have been integral in support of Nick’s own mental health.

“We are so lucky in Canberra to have so much support. Use it,” he says. “It will be the best thing you’ve ever done.”

Nick believes that conversations about mental health and suicide are just as important as the money raised.

So, what are three things Nick would say to someone struggling right now?

Listen below to a personal message from Nick if you are feeing overwhelmed and without a solution.

Number one, says Nick, is to know that any belief someone might hold that ‘no one would notice or care if they weren’t here’ is incorrect.

“People definitely notice … there are people watching out, and even if you feel like that’s not the case, there are people that very much love you and care about you and very much appreciate you being here,” he says.

“I’ve seen firsthand …that the aftermath of suicide is ‘ginormous’. It’s the biggest hurt that can even happen to family and friends.”

Nick says that it also critical to remember that life has highs and lows, and that when we persevere through the lows, no matter how painful they feel, the highs will come and are far more rewarding.

“I know you might feel like giving up is the best option now, but you are still young and there is so much of life still to live,” he says.

Nick reflects often on the joy and life experiences that Robbie has missed out on and wishes that he could have known they would come.

“I have a very loving and caring girlfriend, and loving and caring family members and friends,” Nick says.

“I’m just surrounded by so much love … and all I can say is that I just love life pretty much.

“I wish Robbie knew that there would be a lot to love about his life too someday.”

Nick is determined, through the Push-Up Challenge and through continuing to have conversations with others about their mental health, to reduce the annual number of suicides.

“In an ideal world, there would be zero,” he says.

Nick also hopes that by sharing Robbie’s story, and how it impacted him, their friends and, above all, Robbie’s family, people will better understand the pain suicide causes.

This is what he wishes Robbie knew when he felt he had no other option than to take his life.

“If I could go back in time as my future self and sit next to Robbie and explain to him what happened afterwards, I think that would have definitely changed his mind.

“Because, you know, I knew Robbie and I knew him very, very well, and the last thing he would have wanted to do is hurt anyone.”

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au