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.
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.
1,990,247km
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 2025
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
Kasey
Troy
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Bec Swinton
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Felicity Bennett-Bremner
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. We are not alone. And I can say, after 10 years, it does end. It does.
Wendy A tribute for Lee Rose
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. I suffer from mental illness and have also lost someone due to suicide. My hope is that others never have to feel the pain of loss, that still sits very heavily in my heart, even after all these years. I also hope that others never have to feel the internal torment of having a mental illness, or to feel that there is no way out of that darkness and see suicide as the only way to feel some internal peace, and escape the darkness. Please help raise money for this amazing organisation, and help others to be gently supported out of the darkness and into the light.
Kylie
I’m walking in solidarity this October for myself as well as any of my family, friends and fellow Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone ❤️
Karen Nichols
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Craig
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Skye
Hey all! I am so excited to share with you that I have been participating in this walk for the past four years to raise awareness for mental health. I was able to raise $246.45 and walked 105.4km in 2021, and I'm hoping to exceed that this year. It would mean the world if you helped me out by making a donation of any amount, big or small. Your contribution would make a real difference, and I would be very grateful for your kindness and support! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. I appreciate the value that exercise has for good mental health and I am so inspired by the community of people coming together to support those struggling and/ or those who have lost someone.