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
Brie
Sara Adams
#blackdoginstitute #onefootforward as #jellyroll said I’m not okay, but everything will be okay. I live by this song, day in and out. I struggle with BPD and CPTSD, along with dissociation episodes. This is my “fake book” version of life: look at her, she’s living her best life. That’s the part I want to believe too. But the reality is, there are dark nights, panic attacks, crying, and more crying. I panic to the point of no breath. No one wants to hear the reality of what happens to people when they get CPTSD.I’m opening up this month to show you all that I’m not okay, but I will be okay with the help of the Black Dog Institute, many medical professionals, and my self-determination to not let the Black Dog win! I’m a survivor. It’s been almost a year since I hit ground zero in November 2024, I disappeared from the world, thinking there was no other way forward. Just end it now was all I could see and hear through the pain.Please remember to support my walk for mental health this October. If not for me, for someone you love who is also struggling. Support my 40km challenge for mental health research!Together, we can help create better mental health for all.https://www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/saraadams/one-foot-forward?
Chris
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Nat
This October, I'm walking in solidarity with Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. Living with a mental illness can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster ride. Expressing emotions and seeking support can be challenging, but I'm walking to raise awareness and encourage meaningful conversations about recovery. Remember, you are not alone in this journey.
Susan Birchill A tribute for Ben
I’m walking this October in memory of my beautiful nephew Ben, who would be turning 30 in December. He took his life on January 6th 2021 at age 26. There are never answers for the family and friends when a loved one dies in this way. The “black dog” can be all consuming that these beautiful people can see no other way to relieve their pain. Hopefully with these funds The Black Dog Institute can educate more people to realize these dark days can be overcome with support and knowledge. They can seek the help they need and know that they are not alone. It is important to talk to professionals and family and find some strategies to keep going. I also walk in memory of many other families affected that I know. The ages range from 14 to 72 and unfortunately there are about 15 people I can name. One is too many and we need to continue to talk about ways of preventing this from happening and changing the stigma attached to mental health. Keep walking everyone and keep sharing your achievements in km’s and donations Good luck ❤️❤️❤️
Maya Kalata
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Peter beard
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Sherrie
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone we are all in this together
DJLuLu
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. I myself also suffer from mental health illness and it is a very hard illness to eliminate from your life. I stand and support all that suffer this horrible illness.
💛 I walk in solidarity for everyone touched by mental health challenges — because it matters to all of us. Not only do I support people professionally in my work, but I’ve also walked this path myself. I know the weight it can carry and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. This walk is for hope, for healing, and for breaking the stigma. Step by step, we’re showing that no one has to face the black dog alone. 🐾✨