October 2026 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.
How It Works
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.
2,061,677km
for mental health!
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 2026
Join our community to create better mental health for all Australians.
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.”
Register now and join Paul in One Foot Forward 2024.
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
Gianna Slater
Daphine Flanagan
I’m walking in solidarity this October family and other Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Eleri
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Efti A tribute for Olivia
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide, including myself, and for my dear cousin Olivia forever young at 38yo (2018), may she rest in peace.
David
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Jordana
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Chris & Chardy
We’re walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Betty
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. This message is to support all those who think that no one cares about them, yes I do care.
Leisa A tribute for My little brother Raymond
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. 💚Raymond~ forever 40💚
I am walking in solidarity with everyone who is walking in October for the well being of all Australians who are impacted by mental illness and suicide, including their families and other loved ones. I suffered severe post-natal depression after our first child and it debilitated me for many years. This has always been a cause close to my heart - young mothers who are affected by this illness. I am not as young now, but I still remember how it felt to live with a feeling of no future and trying to get through each day hoping that nothing would happen to me. I was afraid of leaving my baby without a Mum because I didn't fully understand the symptoms. I just knew that I was having awful panic attacks, making me feel weak and like I could collapse at any second. I came through it and vowed from then onwards to reach out to other Mums. Research, community awareness and self-awareness will help us all to overcome this crippling illness in all its various forms. Now I live with my depression, I understand it and myself, and I manage it with prayer, counselling and self-care, including rest. This is the first of the two main reasons behind my participation this month. Let's reach out and walk together.