ONE FOOT FORWARD

Join the walk for mental health

Walk, run or roll this October during Mental Health Month for the 1 in 5 Australians who experience a mental illness each year.

Register for FREE now

October is Mental Health Month

Join us to walk, run or roll in solidarity for the 1 in 5 Australians who experience a mental illness each year.

Together, we can show them they are not alone. 

Register now

How It Works

1. Sign Up

Sign up (for FREE) and join our community to walk in solidarity throughout October.

2. Share

Share your page and raise funds to help Australians impacted by mental illness.

3. Walk

Walk, run or roll and log your kilometres throughout October for Mental Health Month.

Mental Health stats in Australia

1 in 5

Australians experience a mental illness each year.

75%

 of common mental health problems emerge before the age of 25.

50%

of people living with mental illness will not seek professional help.

Let's show people with mental illness that we're in this together.

Your support will help Black Dog Institute put ground-breaking new mental health treatment, education and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most, helping to create better mental health for all.

Sign up now for One Foot Forward 2025

Join our community to create better mental health for all Australians.

Register now

Paul Rudd takes part in One Foot Forward every year:

"I went through a bad patch with my mental health when I hurt my back and I needed a lot of time off to recover. I had limited mobility, so I started to lose contact with the outside world. Then I lost interest in doing anything at all. My mind just clouded all positive thoughts.

It took me two years to rebuild myself. So when I heard about One Foot Forward I decided to take part. I wanted to connect with other people who had been through something similar.

“The community is a big, supportive family.”

To anyone thinking about taking part in One Foot Forward, I say ‘Do it!’. You get to enjoy the fresh air and get your blood moving. It’s also a fun community thing. Above all, it helps raise funds and awareness that help is out there if you need support for your mental health.”

Your Impact

Advocacy

Sharing world-leading research and real-world stories with policymakers to shape decisions that affect millions, and build a future where all Australians can access timely, affordable care.

Education & Services

Equip teachers with practical tools and professional support to provide safety and guidance to teenagers in the years when they are most vulnerable to forming mental health conditions. 

Youth Mental Health

Teaching children with anxiety or depressive symptoms how to create healthier ways of thinking.

Suicide Prevention

Translate research into a digital program which can support people with suicidal thoughts to seek help when they need it most.

Solidarity Wall

Sheena

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. Together we break the stigma that is still holding its grip on mental health !

Shannon

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Crystal Van Zweeden

You are not alone, be strong, speak up and ask for help. Mental health is so important look after yourself first! IT IS NOT SELFISH

Lillian

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. To my family and friends you are not alone.

Erin

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. Walking helps me keep a clear head and keep my mental health managed

Tristan

Always keep fighting. It’s something I personally struggle with and I just want to be able to help, even if it’s just one person. Sometimes it gets so hard. I try and look at it like life can seem full of rainy days, and even if it feels like everyday it’s raining, if you give up you will never see the sunshine. You will never get to experience that moment of joy. So you keep fighting and when that sun shines you appreciate it so much more. 🫶🏻

Kym

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Warren Andrew Williams

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Amy A tribute for All Australians

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. Some times we have bad days , bad weeks , bad months or bad years . Saying I’m not ok can be the hardest thing . Im walking to make mental health a little healthier 🌻