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.
2,060,300km
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
Linda
Kaylah Barrett
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Renea
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Kelly McGrath
My reasons for participating are two-fold. Firstly, I manage a free, not-for-profit mental health referral service in the Isaac region (and some surrounding areas) and support people in their mental health journey every single day. www.navicare.org.au Secondly, I have my own lived experience of mental health. I have always had anxiety, I have PTSD, and have experienced several periods of significant depression in my life. The worst depressive episode I had was 2020 - 2022. I could barely get out of bed. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, couldn't concentrate, couldn't stop crying, and could barely function. Coupled with having up to 20 panic attacks per day, this was honestly one of the lowest times of my life. I needed a LOT of psychology, and I needed medication, and thanks to my amazing supportive husband, daughters, family, and friends, I've come through the other side. For me, being able to access quality mental health without a huge wait made a world of difference to me. I am walking for myself, for my clients, and for anyone who has struggled with poor mental health.
Alyssa Taws
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Debbie
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Marie Rivera
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Charĺie
Day 1, 6km down. We've got this!
Paige Curran
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.