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.
2,061,677km
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
Viviana
Tracy
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
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
Leanne Hoskin
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. this year has thrown me into an absolute spin, I've been kicked when i have been down, very hard living in a small country town, where everyone knows or thinks they know your business but i am learning to rise above the haters, their problem, not mine. it is just hard having to cower in one of the places I love most, I am lucky to be able to have the friends that have stuck by my me, yes I am an alcoholic, and am trying very hard to correct that. but being alone makes it very hard sometimes. thank you to the OFF community for all the encouragement . I will get there xxxx
Jenna Sheridan
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Steve Blampied
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
Julie Robertson A tribute for This year I am walking in tribute to Tyrone Burgess
As someone who has had lived experience of mental health illness and suicide, I offer my support to everyone out there struggling. To all OFFers you got this.
Amina A tribute for Saiel
I'm walking this October for everyone affected by mental health issues. You're not alone.
Annamarie Horvatincic
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.
I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone. This cause is very dear to my heart. My beautiful daughter has been affected by mental illness and I've seen the despair she went through. She's had a great support system and I have seen first hand the effects of this illness. I've watched her overcome extreme difficulties and I'm so very proud of her. There are many Australians that don't have a support system and The Black Dog Institute is an amazing organisation and I'm honoured to participate by walking for and alongside my daughter and all who are struggling. You're not alone.