Step-Up for Suicide Prevention - Step Challenge

This September, we invite you to join our annual Step‑Up for Suicide Prevention Step Challenge a month‑long movement initiative dedicated to raising awareness, fostering connection, and supporting the wellbeing of our community.  Globally about 740,000 people die by suicide each year - roughly one death every 43 seconds.  On average, 22 veterans and active duty military service members are lost to suicide every day.

Every step you take represents hope, compassion, and a commitment to looking out for one another. Whether you walk, jog, or simply add more movement into your day, your participation helps shine a light on the importance of mental health and the power of showing up for others. Together, we can make meaningful strides toward prevention, understanding, and support.

Challenge Period: September 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026 

*Please note, participants will have until 11:59pm CST on October 7th to report all of their steps.  Any steps not entered by this time and date will not be taken into consideration.  

Choose Your Step Challenge Category:

You Asked For It! - Based on feedback from our previous challenges, This September, you choose your challenge!  Participants will select the step category that best aligns with their daily activity level.

To keep the challenge fun, fair, and motivating for everyone, this year the Step-Up for Suicide Prevention Step Challenge will feature three step categories. These tiers celebrate different levels of engagement while reinforcing that every step - at any pace - supports our shared commitment to suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

THESE STEP CATEGORIES ARE BASED ON TOTAL AVERAGE STEPS A DAY

🚶 Ready to Step: 0-10,000 steps per day - Participants who want to challenge themselves to log up to 10,000 steps a day. This is a great option for those looking to increase their daily movement, establish a consistent walking routine, or simply get more steps into their day. 

👟 Ready to Stride: 10,001-19,999 steps per day - This option is for participants who regularly reach 10,000+ steps a day and are ready to challenge themselves to maintain or increase their daily activity.

🏆 Ready to Surge: 20,000+ steps per day - This option is for our highest-step participants who regularly achieve 20,000 or more steps per day and are ready to take their challenge to the next level. 

*20,000+ Step Verification- Participants who report 20,000 or more steps in a single day will be required to provide a screenshot to the Challenge Director, Abigail Baltimore: usarmy.ria.asc.mbx.wellness@army.mil for verification. 

The screenshot should clearly display:

• The participant's step total
• The date of the step total
• The fitness tracker, smartwatch, or app used to record the steps

This verification process is intended to maintain fairness and integrity within the challenge while recognizing those achieving exceptional daily step totals. 

Choose the Category That Fits You! 

Participants are responsible for selecting the category that most closely reflects their typical average daily step count.  Please choose your category based on your normal activity level - not simply your highest-step day.

Team Tip:  If you are participating as part of a team, talk with your teammates before registering!  Teams should consider each member's average daily steps when deciding which category is the best fit for the team.  Selecting a category that accurately reflects your team's typical activity level will help create a fair and meaningful challenge experience for everyone. 

No matter which category you choose, every step counts!  Whether you’re stepping at a high volume or maintaining a consistent rhythm, the goal is to get/keep moving, build healthy habits, and challenge yourself throughout STEP-tember! 👣

Make Every Step Count: By participating in the Step-Up for Suicide Prevention Step Challenge, you're not only investing in your well-being but creating positive social connections and bringing awareness to the importance of mental health, community support, and suicide prevention. Every step you take helps strengthen our culture of care and reminds others that they are never alone.