Black Dog Institute is calling on Australians, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay to take a stand in solidarity for the 1 in 5 Australians experiencing symptoms of mental illness each year by participating in One Foot Forward – a national virtual challenge taking place in October – Mental Health Month.
The challenge, which kicks off this Sunday, October 1, is to walk, run, or roll 40km, 60km, 100km, 150km, or a distance that suits them throughout the month, to show people experiencing symptoms of mental illness that they are not alone and to help raise funds for Black Dog Institute’s crucial mental health research and support services here in Australia.
Black Dog Institute head of fundraising Evan Jackson said, “One in five Australians experience a mental illness each year which means around 5 million people are personally affected.
“One Foot Forward can be a great way to take a positive step forward for your own mental health and show Australians impacted by mental illness that they’re not alone.
“You can take part solo, with a team or with your colleagues.”
With mental illness costing Australian businesses $39 billion in lost revenue each year, Black Dog Institute is once again calling on corporate groups and businesses to join in the challenge.
“This national virtual event is a great team building exercise for colleagues, can increase staff morale and help promote mental wellbeing in the workplace.”
In 2022, over 28,000 participants walked, ran and rolled over 2,286,105km during Mental Health Month and joined in on the fun, got active, and raised funds to help Black Dog Institute.
All to put ground-breaking new mental health treatment, education and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most.
Funds raised by One Foot Forward participants this year can assist in the research and development of digital mental health tools and apps for adults and children, support novel and innovative suicide prevention programs, and help community presenters reach school students to talk about mental health in schools and how to get support.
Register: www.onefootforward.org.au
