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.
2,060,550km
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
Lauren Stevenson
Samantha Knight
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians, affected by mental illness and suicide. Mental Illness has had a profound affect on myself and my family so this cause is close to my heart.
Dania
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Brett McCrae
I’m running in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Rachel
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Rod
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Meg
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Lionel S
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. We are always here.
Michelle Cashmore A tribute for Garry James Pascoe
❤️🩹 My Dad was a man who believed you had to have suffered something traumatic in life to be “depressed” and didn’t believe he fit in that category, we all tried to explain to him that he was severely depressed We watched as his mental health declined and his pain worsen as he got more and more depressed. My Dads mental health took a turn earlier this year after having double bypass heart surgery in December of 2023 🫀Dad went into surgery for a triple bypass and a stent was to be put on his heart, however when they went in they replaced the aortic valve and decided on a double bypass and that a triple wasn’t necessary even though the cardiologist told him that the main artery that lead to his stomach was 50% blocked and this was the cause of his gut problems, and then no stent was input either My Dad was so relieved that they had finally found the cause and he would start living again and not just existing He was so hopeful the surgery would help with his chronic stomach pains. There was a particular cardiologist that said to dad, before his surgery “This is a good result Garry I'm happy for you, You will be a new man after the surgery!!” 😄 Upon waking he had learned that they did not unblock the artery to his stomach as it wasn’t apparently not necessary. Dad’s fear of the pain returning in his stomach started to consume him, I tried to reassure him to focus on his recovery and to not worry about the stomach pains. However After just a few wks of recovery after the surgery, the stomach pains, did in fact return 😔 🏥 My Dad advocated for himself with Constant doctors appointments and check ups but they still could not find what the cause was and referred him to pain management All this had taken a toll on his mental health as he was losing hope in the system that we all trust will help us. ❤️🩹 On the 20th of July my brother inlaw had sat with my Dad all day as he shared the fears that he was feeling and what he could do to stop the pain, doing something sinister towards himself. My brother in law having a true understanding himself of his own demons, that he battled with and what dad was going through, did not feel it was right to leave dad alone with his demons. 📞 He sat with him Listening to the help line call and 000 calls that dad made asking for help To only hear that they dismissed him and deemed his actions as a “Cry for help” and he was not an immediate issue as he was of no danger in that moment to himself or others. 💔 On the 22nd of July he lost his battle with the demon and pain I am raising funds to go towards helping others to get better systems in place to help those who need it For the whole month of October 🚶🏻♀️🚴♀️🏃🏻♀️ I am walking/riding/running to raise awareness for people to be aware what mental and physical effects depression can do to your body. In the loving memory of my Dad Garry James Pascoe 🫙 Every little bit counts
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone, mental health can affect anyone at anytime and I think it’s important that we develop research and support for those in need. I personally have been affected by mental health, and the support I have received from others in my community is what motivates me to want to raise funds for this crucial and life changing institute.