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.
2,060,656km
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
Nicoletta
Mon A tribute for Savana
Awesome gal, I think of you when I go on my mental health walks and when it feels low, I find strength to keep going for you and all of us struggling with tings
Geoff
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. Together we can all raise awareness around mental health and help support the wonderful work being done by the Black Dog Institute
Madelyne A tribute for Ashleigh McGuire
I’m walking in memory of my brother Ashleigh who lost his fight on Sep 21st 2020 to mental health 🩵 I want people to know that even if they feel alone they is always someone who will be there to listen to or support you through your darkest of days 💜;🩵 you just have to fight and reach out
Ceane
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. I think it's my 3rd year walking for mental health, and receiving donations, either big or small. The offerings go towards a local organization, and I am so grateful. Where I live used the be the highest suicide rate in Australia, and I know how disheartened our youth get today in their quarter-life crisis. I've also had a brother who suicided due to discrimination in this Country, and I've had my own down days to deal with due to circumstance. Haven't we all. This thing does not discriminate. The world's gone nuts, yes, it has, killings, inhumanity, starvation, extreme climate events never seen before. The government's top-down approach is making ridiculous choices not in our names, but against our names. Corruption and Cruelty have taken president, taking from families and the Country. Corporations, manipulative policy, and laws are eating us alive in plain daylight. Who's got a good ear, heart, and time today to care?
Helen Jenkins
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. It’s very close to my hurt as I have suffered from mental ill health at times. Together we can make a difference.
Brad
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Temalesi *Team CONFIDENCE! 😁
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Sophie
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.