By Police1 Staff
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — Like many viral challenges, the “22 Push-up Challenge” wants to bring awareness to an important issue — veteran suicide.
The Brookhaven Police Department released a video on their Facebook, showing officers participating in the physical endurance challenge to help raise awareness on suicide prevention.
According to ABC 11, those who participate in the challenge, named after the average of 22 veterans who commit suicide every day, state their name, why they’ve accepted the challenge then drop and do 22 push-ups. The videos are hashtagged with “#22pushup” or “#22kill.”
The organization behind the viral videos, 22 Kill, sponsors therapeutic treatment programs not covered by the VA or healthcare for veterans. Program director Jimmy Mac told the news site the challenge bridges the gap between military and civilians.
“We’re trying to remove the stigma of PTSD being a veteran issue,” Mac said. “Allow people to understand that this is a human issue we’re all going through it, so let’s all go through it together. Let’s focus on the outcome and have it be in a positive light.”
The video garnered over 6,000 views.