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.
2,059,977km
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
Keshet L
Darcie
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Letitia
As morbid as it sounds, this year has not been kind to me - and without some very special people, and services like the Black Dog Institute, I could’ve been a very bored ghost this October… instead, I’m still walking, still talking, and still oversharing (for a cause this time). There are so many people that didn’t make it this far - I am walking for them 🫶👣
Sarah
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Jule A tribute for Bradley Chisholm
I’m walking in solidarity this October for my son Bradley who I lost to suicide in 2012 and for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Duarn
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Leanne Dempster
I just want to give everyone doing one foot forward a great big virtual hug. We are all doing an amazing job for mental health and suicide prevention. As somebody who survived a suicide attempt. I can now do something positive about making my life better. Working as a Support Worker is great and I love my work. Keep up the great fundraising. 🥰🥰❤️
Maria FLOUROU A tribute for All that need to hear this. X
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Natasha Taylor
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. My tribute is not for one, but for all the people I have been privileged to know. They were fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends. They mattered, they still matter, and are deeply loved.
To shine hope for those who are struggling, honour those who keep overcoming, and remember those who lost the battle.