You're helping create better mental health for all Australians.
By taking part in One Foot Forward and raising funds, you are helping the 1 in 5 Australians who experience symptoms of mental illness every year.
You're helping to connect research answers, expert knowledge and the voices of people who have experienced mental ill-health to deliver solutions that work.
The money you raise is being used to create real-world impact in these four key areas:
Access
Providing people living with anxiety and depression access to our app, myNewWay, to help improve their mental wellbeing.
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Inform
Helping community presenters reach schools to talk about mental health, why it's important and where to find support.
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Support
Helping to fund critical research to teach children with symptoms of anxiety & depression healthier ways of thinking.
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Research
Supporting innovative research in suicide prevention programs to help people seek support when they need it the most.
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About the Black Dog Institute
Science. Compassion. Action.
1 in 5 of us will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year. In Australia that’s around 5 million people. And roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.
As the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.
We do this through ‘translational’ research. Integrating our research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change.
Our partnerships with people with lived experience, federal, state and local governments, communities, schools, corporate Australia and others in the mental health sector enables us to drive evidence-informed change in mental health where it’s needed most.
The need for support.
Unfortunately, 60% of people living with a mental illness in Australia will not seek professional help – often with tragic consequences.
In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death in people aged 15-44 years.
As a community, we need to come together to show those living with mental illness that they’re not alone and help fund crucial mental health research and support services.
Join us in solidarity and put One Foot Forward this October for mental health.
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How 2022 funds were used
Funds raised by One Foot Forward in 2022 helped Black Dog Institute put ground-breaking new mental
health treatment, education and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most.
Here's what One Foot Forward helped us do in 2022:

One Foot Forward also funded these programs to reduce the impact of mental illness and suicide in Australia.

Sleep Ninja
Sleep Ninja is a free, evidence based smartphone app shown to be effective in helping young people with sleep problems.
Developed at the Black Dog Institute in close collaboration with young individuals, their parents or caregivers, psychologists, counsellors, and sleep experts, Sleep Ninja is the first of its kind—an app focused on enhancing the sleep quality of adolescents.
Funds raised in 2022 contributed to research to understand characteristics, experiences, stress, help-seeking behaviours, and barriers to accessing clinical support for those under the radar. Together we are co-designing open and easy-to-reach help for people who don’t yet reach out for clinical care.
Since its release, 4,353 users have downloaded the app, and 1,778 of those are aged between 8 - 16 years.

Community Presenters
Our team of Community Presenters deliver mental health education throughout Australian schools.
Community Presenters help to increase mental health knowledge in the community, an understanding of help-seeking options and services, and advocate for empathy towards those experiencing mental health disorders.
As part of these presentations, our Community Presenters share their personal insights of living with, or caring for, a loved one with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. This aims to combat the stigma associated with mental illness.
Black Dog Institute has delivered 471 youth and community presentations to 39,433 people since 1st July 2022.
Our impact in 2022
Learn more about our key achievements and impact in 2022 from the funds raised in One Foot Forward.
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