ONE FOOT FORWARD

Join the walk for mental health

Walk, run or roll this October during Mental Health Month for the 1 in 5 Australians who experience a mental illness each year.

Register for FREE now

October 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. 

Register now

How It Works

1. Sign Up

Sign up (for FREE) and join our community to walk in solidarity throughout October.

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.

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 2025

Join our community to create better mental health for all Australians.

Register now

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.”

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

Andrew A tribute for Lives lost

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide.

Bec

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. I’m a disability support worker and see so many participants going through mental illness and are suicidal and to be able to help them and change their lives is worth it then there are the ones that are slipping through the cracks and it’s so sad to see them not getting any support or help cause they don’t know how or who to get help from come on guys this is where we come in and try and change their lives for the better every step helps and cent helps

Brenton Cardona

I’m walking and Lifting weights in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Phil Johnson

Someone at work saw that I was taking part in this challenge and asked me if I was OK. My answer was, yes I'm as ok as most of us because in reality we all suffer from poor mental health to a certain degree. But unfortunately some people require professional help to aid in their battle against poor mental health. Thats why the Black Dog Insitute is so important. Anything we can fo to raise money and awareness is viral.

Justin Coloe

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Kara Van Hummel

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. I have had members of my family that committed suicide and struggling with my own challenges. Every step forward promotes one step forward towards a healthier future.

Simone A tribute for My daughter Lilly

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. This cause is close to my heart as I lost my daughter goin' on three yrs on the 10th of this month to suicide she was only 12. It broke me and I don't want anyone to feel that pain or feel like they are alone and like they don't have a another option so I'm doing this to show that U are not alone. ❤️

Kirrilly

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Monica

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.