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.
2,060,680km
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
Penny Wright
Liz
I’m walking in solidarity this October for anyone affected by mental illness/suicide. You are not alone. ❤️
Amanda
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. Suffering myself and trying to take my own life years ago I am so glad I did not succeed. So many amazing memories have been made since then.
Byron
Having experienced -and will be forever experiencing this myself - knowing others that suffer in silence - I’m walking in solidarity this October for anyone affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Sally Bailey
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. Your thoughts are your reality.
Carly G A tribute for The many young people that die by suicide
My tribute for this challenge is Empowering all those under 25 that have thoughts about taking their life to please tell someone, you are not alone and your life is precious as are YOU. In my professional career in the child and youth sector this has been a common consideration/emotional response…. Life can be cruel, dark and horrible but you matter and you are loved….. please make that call or tell someone, get some support, ignore any judgement or shame you may face and if so tell someone else as those people are cruel (which unfortunately this world has many)..…your feelings are valid and don’t give up ❤️💕 the storms do pass and the flowers will eventually bloom 🙏💕
Eric
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. I see you, I feel you. It’s not to weak to speak. Ask R U OK? Any day
Lynette Larder A tribute for My youngest son Wayne forever 42
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Kerry Fitz-Gibbon
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.