Get Buff While Doing Good In The Latest Social Media Craze #22pushupsfor22days

Featured image credit: Adam Davy/Press Association

A few years ago, The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge saws millions of people throw a bucket of ice-old water over themselves, all in the name of charity. Incredibly, more than $100 million was raised in a 30-day period. The challenge proved to be hugely beneficial for the charity, which recently funded a number of ground-breaking research projects.

When Tim Burners-Lee invented the Internet, I wonder if he realised at the time that he created a portal that would provide charities with a global voice. Still a relatively new invention - and one that is constantly evolving - the power of online has sent a simple act into a viral phenomenon.

Take a worthy charity that supports a stigmatised condition, set an achievable challenge and throw in a few inspirational profiles - you have the beginnings of a social media craze. The rest is down to everyday people, like you and I, to like, share, get involved and donate.

Well, basically the Internet is at it again and the latest stigma being broken down is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In the US, an estimated 22 veterans take their lives every day because of PTSD. In a desperate effort to reduce these shocking statistics, the Internet could very well be the support platform needed for ex-servicemen to start talking about their illness and seeking help when symptoms arise.

The #22pressupsfor22days challenge will get you buff while raising awareness and funds for a cause that helps the victims suffering with PTSD. It's simple: you upload a video of yourself doing 22 press-ups for 22 days, each day nominating someone else to join in. What's 22 press ups each day? I'm on day three.

Meanwhile, former Royal Marine Soldier Jon White has also got involved. The amputee soldier effortlessly puts me to the shame and with just one arm smashes out his 22 reps with ease.

Video credit: Jonathan White/YouTube

According to Combat Stress, one in 25 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are likely to develop PTSD. It is a very complex diagnosis with varying levels of symptoms and there is no cure as such. However, there is the potential for life beyond symptoms but timely treatment is vital in order to maximise the chances of recovery. "Men are very reluctant to access healthcare. The military male is even more reluctant to access that care," Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, Robert Marsh, told TheLADBible. "And the vast majority of the veterans that we see are men."

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The challenge is about breaking down the boundaries so that those effected start understanding the symptoms and understanding when to seek help. Although the challenge is not officially linked to one charity, the concept is something Combat Stress believes can make a massive difference. "Having seen it a number of weeks ago and that it was particularly and socially focusing on PTSD and mental health among a veteran population, it naturally resonates precisely on what we do," says Marsh.

For Marsh, who is currently on day three of the challenge, it was a great opportunity for the charity to raise awareness among the veteran population. "On average veterans come to us 12 years after they originally started to suffer, at which point their symptoms are complex and chronic," he says. "Therefore we want to talk about it."

Burdened with the stigma attached to PTSD, it's time for us to do something about it. Get involved, raise some money and let's start discussing PTSD in the hope that those suffering with it will follow ranks.

Combat Stress: combatstress.org.uk

Active Heroes: activeheroes.org/22pushups

British Legion: britishlegion.org.uk

22Kill: 22kill.com

Mind: mind.org.uk

Words: Hamish Kilburn

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Hamish Kilburn

Keep calm... I'm a journalist

@hkilburn