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.
2,061,252km
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
Ann Isulat A tribute for For Everyone in there dark times
Nicole Johnson
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Mandee
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Maree-Rose
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and 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. Last year I completed one foot forward walking for mental health in the month of October, however this time it is even more important to me. Everyone has a mental health but not all have mental health illnesses, I’m one of the lucky ones who have multiple mental health illnesses and my dream is for that to one day be seen as just as important as any physical illness or conditions. Mental health has played a big part of my life in the last 12 years of my life what is currently half my life. I’m so thankful to now be receiving the support and services that I should’ve had easier access to years ago but unfortunately that isn’t our mental health system. This is deeply personal for me and hard to share and if it was a physical illness or injury it would be much more accepted, I’ve always wanted to stop and help with the stigma of mental health and that includes sharing my own mental health bit by bit. Recently I spent 3 weeks in hospital getting treatment for my mental health, I was at crisis what I have been at multiple times before. Now i have a psychiatrist who goes above and beyond with his care for me, I’m in fortnightly therapy sessions as well as day programs for the next 12-18 months. That 3 week admission saved my life, so this October again I am doing one foot forward with mum, we are walking 100km in the month of October and our goal is to raise $1000. I would appreciate any support you feel you’re able to give, wether it’s a money donation to our team or if it’s simply looking into mental health or reaching out to someone you know who struggles. If you’re personally struggling, my inbox is always open and I hope you receive the help you wish for.
Elsie Reid
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. It can be hard to open yourself to others, but please do, we have to make the change and stop losing our loved ones to this cruel world.
Olivia Sketchley
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Rochelle Anderson
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. I haven’t set my goals as high this year but I have set some, these are done realistic goals for me, I wasn’t going to participate In one foot forward but for me I feel I need to 🖤
Catherine Kershaw A tribute for Family & Friends
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.. I have had those deep dark thoughts in the past and have experienced family members taking their own life. Please do not give up… no matter how dire the situation is … there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
This hits close to home as myself have been diagnosed with complex ptsd, bpd and anxiety & depression. After surviving my lowest point of life last year with the support of my love ones and professional. In October I’m walking in solidarity for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!