October 2026 is Mental Health Month

Join us to walk, run or move 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

1. Sign Up

2. Share

Share your page and raise funds to help Australians impacted by mental illness.

3. Walk

Walk, run or move and log your kilometres throughout October for Mental Health Month.

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.”

Your rewards

Get your exclusive T-shirt and fundraising pack!

When you raise $95, you'll earn a One Foot Forward T-shirt to wear throughout your challenge and an exclusive fundraising pack to help you with your challenge.

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

Kaitlyn

I’m running 150km in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Carly

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. This affects myself personally, my family members, friends and the general community around us. Please remember You are not alone, and it ain't weak to speak!

Dave Monteith

This is my first tine in the event. It is fantastic to see the level of support. I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Elizabeth Evans

I Walk For Me. I Walk For Us. I Walk For Survival. This October, I’ve pledged to walk 100km for the One Foot Forward campaign by the Black Dog Institute—a movement that brings thousands of Australians together to support better mental health. But this isn’t about the kilometres for me. It’s about the step. The literal, terrifying, courageous, life-saving step. At my lowest, when my cupboards were cleaned, my affairs were in order, and I had a date and a plan—I took one last step. I threw myself into the arms of the one person who knows me best. I opened up with brutal honesty. And in that moment, he held me. He helped me fight. He helped me put one foot forward. This campaign is my reset. My thank you. To my husband. To the organisations, businesses, friends, and family who helped me battle my demons. To the ones who saw past the sparkle I wore to hide the darkness. I walk for those who suffer in silence. For those who feel like they can’t speak. For those who think they’re alone. You’re not. I know what it’s like to sit in the dark and wonder if being louder could’ve saved someone. I walk to be louder now. If you’re reading this and struggling, please—take one step. Sit outside for five minutes. Brush your teeth. Take a shower. Call Lifeline. Message a friend. Tell someone you’re not okay. One step forward can save a life. --- Why Black Dog Institute? Why One Foot Forward? Because they’re not just raising awareness—they’re funding world-leading research, education, and digital tools to support Australians living with mental illness. Because 1 in 5 of us will experience mental illness this year. Because this campaign is about solidarity, not perfection. It’s about showing up, however you can. I’m walking 100km this month. But if you walk 1km, or just take one step—I see you. I honour you. Let’s walk together. Let’s fight together. Let’s live together