A REFRESHED WALK TO WORK DAY PUTS MENTAL HEALTH IN FOCUS SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2026

MEDIA RELEASE: Monday 2 February 2026: The Pedestrian Council of Australia has today announced a new look Walk to Work Day campaign, turning the spotlight on the irrefutable benefits of walking regularly for better mental health.

Now taking place at the start of the year, Walk to Work Day supporting Black Dog Institute will bring a refreshed focus to the national initiative, with the Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby saying the partnership was a natural fit and an exciting evolution for the campaign.

“We are thrilled to partner with Black Dog Institute. Given the benefits a simple walk can have on mental health issues like anxiety, depression and stress – we hope this simple reminder will go a long way in getting Australia’s working population to walk more, not just on Walk to Work Day, but every day,” he said.

The latest research from Black Dog Institute highlights the scale of the challenge facing Australian workplaces, with mental illness estimated to cost businesses more than $39 billion each year through lost productivity, absenteeism and staff turnover. Around one in five Australians experience a mental illness each year, yet almost half will not seek professional help.

Black Dog Institute Fundraising Director, Laura Edwards, said that regular physical activity has been shown to play a powerful role in supporting mental health.

“Engaging in exercise has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of depression, including major depressive disorder, with studies finding that walking for an hour a day can reduce the risk of major depression by up to 26 per cent. This is because exercise promotes positive changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation and new activity patterns that support calm, focus and overall wellbeing,” Laura said.

For people looking to improve their mental health, walking can be a simple, accessible and low-cost way to support mental wellbeing as part of everyday life.

Laura Edwards went on to say that workplaces have an important role to play in creating mentally healthy environments.

“Initiatives like Walk to Work Day are a simple and cost-effective way for organisations to prioritise wellbeing while supporting positive, sustainable habits with their employees and the results are a happier workplace with significant savings to your bottom line,” Laura said.

Mentally healthy workplaces are linked to increased employee engagement, improved retention and stronger organisational performance. This year’s Walk to Work Day campaign highlights how regular walking can help reduce stress, lift mood and improve focus and connection at work. For many people, walking before, during or after the working day is one of the easiest ways to reset and feel better — benefits that are amplified when people walk together and support a shared cause.  And it’s not just for working Australians — this Friday, 26 March, we’re encouraging everyone across the country to walk, run or roll in whatever way fits their routine. That could mean making all or part of your daily commute active or simply taking a break during the day to get moving for your mental health.

As part of the refreshed campaign, individuals, workplace teams and businesses are encouraged not only to walk, but to fundraise together between now and 27 March to support better mental health outcomes nationwide.

Mr Scruby said active transport remains one of the most practical ways to embed walking into everyday life, and the fundraising element adds extra purpose.

“There are so many benefits to walking more every day,” he said. “As an added incentive, we’re asking Australia’s workforce to come together to raise funds for Black Dog Institute, using Walk to Work Day as a catalyst for positive change,” he said.

Working Australians are encouraged to get involved by forming workplace walking groups, introducing walking meetings or lunchtime walks, setting personal or team step challenges, and inviting their employers, colleagues, friends and family to support their walk through donations.

Funds raised through Walk to Work Day will support the translation of research into real-world clinical care, the delivery of evidence-based education programs for schools, workplaces and health professionals, and the expansion of digital tools that help people manage their mental health. Even small donations can make a difference, with a $20 contribution helping Black Dog Institute continue delivering mental health resources, education and support tools, while collective workplace fundraising amplifies impact by reducing stigma and expanding access to evidence-based support.

Now in its 27th year, Walk to Work Day has long encouraged Australians to build walking into their daily routines and Scruby said walking also delivers benefits well beyond mental health.

“Walking supports healthier, more productive workplaces while improving physical and mental wellbeing, reducing car dependence, easing congestion and benefiting the environment,” he said. “It’s a simple action with wide-ranging benefits for individuals, employers and the broader community,” he said.

Walk to Work Day supporting Black Dog Institute encourages working Australians to get involved in two ways: by getting started straight away and building simple walking habits in the lead-up to the event, walking more often, forming teams and fundraising between now and Walk to Work Day to support better mental health outcomes, and/or by taking part on the day itself on Friday 27 March, through group walks, walking meetings or encouraging staff to walk to and from work, with the option to fundraise on the day.  More information, including how to fundraise, is available at www.walk.com.au.

ENDS.

 

FACT SHEET

 

WHAT:	National Walk to Work Day supporting Black Dog Institute
WHEN:	Friday 27 March 2026
WHERE:	All workplaces across Australia

 

WHY:	This national initiative aims to encourage everyone to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle by simply including a walk during the working day. Moving more has many physical, social, emotional, physical, and mental health benefits. It can improve wellbeing and mental health, help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and more. The event also promotes reduced car-dependency, greater use of public transport and cleaner air.
HOW:	Encourage Australians to build regular walking in their daily routine by walking to work, or during a lunchbreak.  *See Ideas to help walk more at work below
FUNDRAISING:	Register and create your personal fundraising page  HERE Share your unique fundraising page with your networks and ask them to support mental health research this Walk to Work Day Get walking!

 

RESOURCES:

Media Assets - HERE Images Logos 2026 Digital Toolkit Posters Fundraising resources - HERE Australia’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines for adults & Tips and ideas for being active  HERE Make your move – sit less, be active for life - HERE

 

 

BENEFITS:	Develop and maintain physical and mental wellbeing Manage stress, anxiety and depression Create opportunities for socialising and meeting people Raise funds to support better mental health through Black Dog Institute’s  world-leading research. Reduce the risk of, or help manage blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes Maintain or improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduce cardiovascular disease Reduce the risk of some cancers Prevent unhealthy weight gain and help with weight loss Maintain strong muscles and bones
WAYS TO BUILD STEPS AT WORK	If you can't walk all the way, use public transport and get off the bus, train, tram or ferry a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way to work If you do need to drive, leave the car a kilometre or two from your destination and walk the rest of the way Take a half-hour walk at lunchtime Where possible use the stairs rather than escalators or the lift If you sit at a desk, be sure to get up and walk around at least once every hour Get up and talk to your colleagues instead of sending them emails or texts If working from home, make sure you take a break and walk regularly throughout the day Rather than holding meetings around a table or online, ‘Host’ a ‘walking workshop’ Challenge your work mates and compare your steps
MORE INFO & CONNECT WITH US	Websites:    www.walk.com.au    |    www.blackdoginstitute.org.au     |   https://blackdoginstitute.grassrootz.com/walk-to-work-day-2026 FB:   https://www.facebook.com/walktoworkday   |   https://www.facebook.com/blackdoginst/ X:   https://x.com/w2wd   |   https://x.com/blackdoginst IG:   https://www.instagram.com/wtwd/    |   https://www.instagram.com/blackdoginst HT:                #wtwd

 

Contact details:

Littlelion PR, Gabrielle Leonello | 0425 554 454 | [email protected]