The mental health organisation is asking people to walk 20, 40, 60 or 100kms over the month of October in a bid to raise money for medical research.

Tasman Cassim, the One Foot Forward Manager at the Black Dog Institute talked about the initative.

"we know people cannot get together with friends, loved ones or colleagues right now," Mr Cassim said.

"But by all agreeing to the same challenge we can spur each other on, check in on how each other are doing and continue that sense of camaraderie. And what better cause to do it for than mental health research?"

Last year over $5m was raised by 30,000 Australians who joined in the fun and got active in doing so. This year the team are hoping to top that amount.

Research shows 1 in 5 people in Australia experience symptoms of mental illness each year, which equates to more than 5 million people. Less than half of those people seek professional help.

Research from the Black Dog Institute aims to develop support services available for everyone, everywhere around the country.

Participants are asked to take photos of their walks throughout the month and share them on their favourite platforms to #onefootforward.

"This year the Black Dog Institute is focusing on the workforce and what we can do to check in on colleagues. Well, there is no better team building exercise than this challenge in 2021," Mr Cassim said.

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