22 Push-Up Challenge catches on in P.E.I.

A campaign to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among veterans and first responders has begun spreading like wildfire among P.E.I. fire departments.

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Members of the New Glasgow Fire Department are taking part in the 22 Push-Up Challenge, an initiative that started in the United States to highlight the issue of suicide among veterans.

Those who take part do 22 push-ups every day for 22 days, posting photos and video to social media and challenging others to to do the same.

"We were challenged by my brother, who lives in Alberta," said Jason Peters, chief of the New Glasgow Fire Department.

20 members, all wearing their firefighting gear, took a video of their effort Monday night and posted it to Facebook.

"It was a little harder, definitely a little warmer," Peters said. "Everyone always likes a little fun and a challenge."

'That stuff is affecting people'

More awareness is needed of PTSD among veterans and first responders like firefighters and police officers, he added.

"Everyone knows a few cases close to home, that that stuff is affecting people," Peters shared.

Peters hopes the campaign will continue to grow on the Island.

The New Glasgow department has already nominated the North River Fire Department, which has accepted the challenge.

The significance of 22

A 2012 report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 22 veterans kill themselves every day in the U.S..

Veterans Affairs Canada does not track suicide rates among Canadian veterans, it told CBC News via email.

"The methodology is currently being developed and a report on veteran suicide deaths in Canada is expected to be released in 2017," a VAC spokesperson wrote. "Thereafter, the Department plans to begin reporting annually on veterans' suicides."

About 22,000 veterans who receive the Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefit have a mental health condition, she noted, adding that the department has a network of about 4,000 mental health professionals.

To put a finer point on it, 17 per cent of all veterans who get VAC benefits have a mental health condition.

Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence will work together to develop a suicide prevention strategy for Canadian Armed Forces personnel and veterans, the email added.

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