Black Dog Institute is calling on Australians to take a stand in solidarity with the one in five Australians experiencing mental illness each year by participating in the One Foot Forward national challenge.
You can walk, run, or roll 40km, 60km, 100km or 150km virtually during the month of October, Mental Health Month, to show those experiencing symptoms of mental illness they are not alone and to help raise funds for crucial mental health research and support services here in Australia.
Take steps
Ariane Forsythe is the One Foot Forward Campaign Manager at the Black Dog Institute. She says that with 20 per cent of Australians experiencing some form of mental illness each year, that means five 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,’ she said.
Black Dog Institute is the only Medical Research Institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan.
This year they are once again calling on corporate groups and businesses to join in, noting that mental illness costs Australian businesses $39 billion in lost revenue each year.
‘The challenge is a great team building exercise for colleagues and way to promote mental wellbeing in the workplace,’ said Ms Forsythe. ‘In addition to corporate registrations, you can register as an individual, team or school.’
Every dollar matters
Last year over 43,000 participants joined in on the fun, got active, and raised funds for mental health research and support services.
The Black Dog Institute says every dollar matters and helps improve knowledge and services to change the lives of people with mental illness.
Funds raised from One Foot Forward this year will assist in preventing teenagers with sleep issues from developing into anxiety or depression; helping community presenters reach schools and communities; training teachers to reduce anxiety in children and, engaging people with lived experience of mental-ill health in developing new programs and services.
One Foot Forward participants are encouraged to take photos of themselves taking ‘one foot forward’ and share them on their favourite social media platforms with the #onefootforward hashtag.
Help create a mentally healthier world, and register online today at www.onefootforward.org.au.
Key numbers
- 1 in 5 Australians experience a mental illness each year.
- Nearly 1 in 2 Australians (aged 16-85) will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
- 8 people die by suicide every day.
- Each year mental illness cost Australian businesses $39 billion.
