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.
2,061,688km
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
Jenny Slade
Sarah Dunbar
I’m walking in solidarity this October for those affected by mental illness and suicide. Joining forces with my work mates, we walk together, stand together and are STRONGER together in raising awareness for a shift in mental health Australia!! We have reached out to friends and family to show their support through donations. I am so grateful for everyone who knows the importance of this cause and have been willing to share or donate. The black dog institute are amazing and it means so much to me knowing that if I or loved ones need help, there is help and resources available. It is an extraordinary feeling being part of this movement. I will be back year after year doing my bit!
Skye
I see you, I hear you, and I'm walking right beside you. Some days our stories feel heavy, like a thousand-page hardcover we can barely lift, while other days they're as light as a breezy paperback. But every day, we're turning the page together. This chapter might be tough, but remember - we're the authors of our own tales, and we've got this incredible community supporting our every word, our every step. Whether you're marathon-walking or just managing to shuffle to the kitchen today, know that I'm proud of you. Your journey matters, your story matters, YOU matter. Keep turning those pages - I believe in you, and I'm honoured to be part of your story.
Wendy Green
I am walking for my Husband who is walking his own walk with depression, anxiety and PTSD. I love you hubby. I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Juanita
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Christine
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. Let’s all stand together to work towards prevention rather than intervention.
Aimee A tribute for Adrian Norton
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. After losing my father to suicide at 11 it is something I have always been very passionate about. Raising awareness, opening up the channels for communication and priding myself on being able to be a safe space for those around me. Always with the thought of my father in the back of my head so I can try and make a difference to at least one person!
Katrina
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone 💕 Let’s support each other, break the stigma around mental health, start talking about our struggles we face & reach out to those who need our support, help them find the strength to seek help & always listen with an open mind & heart ❤️ Let’s raise more awareness & understanding & support. Everyone deserves kindness
Tish
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide.
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.