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.
2,061,842km
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
Jess
Brooke Arendse
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Rob Copley
As some of you may or may not know I have bipolar disorder. I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness. Your donation, no matter how big or small will assist in the psychological, educational and behavioural treatment of mental illnesses. Thank you for you support! Got a $5er or a hundy? Send it through. It makes a difference.
Cathy Stewart A tribute for My nephew Jaydon forever in our hearts 💙💙💙
I’m walking in solidarity this October in honour of my nephew Jaydon who we sadly lost 4 years ago and for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Danielle A tribute for My friends, family & community
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide as someone who has been dealt with this personally for as long as I can remember. This is for my community, friends and family - you are not alone.
Dave Monteith
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Nikki
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Peter Langston
To all my fellow OFFers, I am a writer by trade and after a month of walking, this poem emerges. Tips me lid to you all. PLANTIGRADE Walking “to move one foot forward in front of the other without running” across the room over the mat down the street away without running Walking “to disappear; to be taken to leave” from danger, unrehearsed from friends, unprepared from family, unexplained away to disappear Walking “leaves the field without waiting for the umpire deciding” It’s over beaten by your incompetence judged without jury, thrown away without waiting Walking “idioms parlance Colloquialisms” the plank off the job a thin, blue line away in a manner of speaking Walking all these besides in the sunshine for a dollar or three weathering the old black mutt one foot always grounded one foot, each foot, forward on the way there smiling.
Juanita A tribute for Everyone who has been affected by mental health
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. I have had a longstanding relationship with the black dog but grateful to be here today to help support others.
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.