October 2026 is Mental Health Month
Join us to walk, run or move 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 move and log your kilometres throughout October for Mental Health Month.
2,061,857km
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
Nicole Muller
Erin Gavenlock
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. My door is always open for anyone needing to have a conversation,.
Jules
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Chalie MacRae
So grateful to have had such support walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. I was able to exceed my targets and connect with many others using my art platform to raise awareness for this important cause. Thank you.
Emily
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Jenny Nguyen
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Krysta A tribute for Robson
At the end of 2022, my cousin, who was 26, committed suicide. He was the kind of guy who was always positive, loved big hugs and wanted to walk everywhere. With our kids born months apart, we had a plan for them and us to grow up close to one another and would often spend hours walking and talking about our future. Unfortunately, we never got to live out our plan. The reality is, though, this isn’t a rare case. 1 in 5 people experience a mental illness every year, and every day in Australia, 9 people die by suicide. These people are someone’s child, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt or cousin, and the loss and pain caused by mental health and suicide can ripple across communities. I can’t bring him back, but I can walk. Like my motto in life, I am being the change I want to see in the world, and I am spending the month walking for him and all of the loved ones we have lost. Thank you for your time,
Debra
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Elischa
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide, including myself and my son. We are not alone.
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.