#22PushUpChallenge Raises Awareness for Veteran Suicide with Celebs, Olympians Kelly Burch - The Fix
go to original August 18, 2016

Somewhere out there, someone is feeling lost; broken; alone. Let them know you hear them. Let them know you care. (22KILL)

Each day, an average of 22 US veterans commit suicide. Now, a new social media challenge is aiming to bring light to the issue, using the hashtag #22PushUpChallenge.

The initiative has some high-profile participants, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and actor Chris Pratt.

“We’re thinking about you and we want to raise awareness for this terrible reality,” Pratt said in a video posted on Instagram. Pratt, who starred in the movie Guardians of the Galaxy, took the challenge with his wife, Anna Faris, and kicked off a chain reaction of celebrity participants. After doing his 22 pushups, Pratt challenged Dwayne Johnson, Vincent D’Onofrio and John Krasinski to do the same.

The challenge is being promoted by 22Kill.com, an organization that aims to raise awareness of veteran suicides and mental health issues.

Many civilians do not realize the mental health challenges that veterans face. The suicide rate among veterans is 50% higher than in civilian populations with the same demographics, according to the LA Times. The rates are highest in the first three years that a veteran is discharged from the military.

The plight of veterans who defended our country clearly struck a chord with celebrities and others. The #22PushUpChallenge has taken off in the last few days.

... Two summers ago, the Ice Bucket Challenge raised $115 Million to fight ALS. However, the #22PushUpChallenge is focused on raising awareness, rather than money.

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