Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation

27/10/2026

How often do we say “I’m fine” when there’s a different story underneath?

On A Safe Space Podcast (new EP out today!), Breakthrough ambassador Lenny Deacon sits down to share stories from his journey around Australia on a recumbent trike, raising funds for mental health research.

In this moment, he reflects honestly on the masks we wear and how quickly we can put on a brave face, even when we’re struggling underneath. 💜

A reminder to look beyond the first answer and make space for a real conversation.

Proudly supported by Rural Business Support

Podcast out now on Spotify, YouTube and other streaming platforms. See website for full episode

27/10/2026

Wishing our Breakthrough Ambassador and 7NEWS Adelaide presenter Andrew Hayes, all the very best, before he heads off to run the New York Marathon, fundraising for mental health research 💜
See link in bio for Hayesy’s Fundraising Page 🫶

26/10/2026

A shared meal. A familiar face. Someone taking the time to listen. 💜
Last week, some of the Breakthrough team travelled to Robe for a Mates, Meals and Mental Health workshop in Robe.
Locals and friends from surrounding communities joined us, with some travelling an hour to be there. Together, we shared a meal, connected and heard practical ways to look after ourselves and support others.
Thank you to our key speakers Tom Jonas , Marc Ryan The Beautiful Bogan and our CEO John Mannion for bringing honesty, warmth and laughter to the conversation, and to Lifeline South East (SA) Inc. and Mission Australia for joining us.
The evening was made possible through funding from Preventive Health SA , with thanks to the Robe Football & Netball Club for welcoming us.

26/10/2026

96 kilometres. Months of training. Weeks of fundraising. A shared commitment to men’s mental health. 💜

This Mental Health Month, we’re recognising everyone who took on the Kokoda Track, brought together by the Kokoda Centurions to raise funds for Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation and The Man Cave.

For many of us, this was a bucket-list opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Australian soldiers who served along the track, and reflect on their courage and sacrifice.

It was no walk in the park. Steep climbs, relentless humidity and long days trekking through the Papua New Guinean jungle tested us all. We shared laughter, encouraged each other and had someone beside us when the going got tough.

To every trekker who put in months of preparation and rallied their community to donate, thank you. To everyone who supported the fundraising, thank you for helping turn that effort into support for men’s mental health.

We’re proud to have shared this journey with you.

20/10/2026

Last Friday, 400 people joined us at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for our first Breakthrough Mental Health Dinner in Melbourne.

Hosted by Hamish McLachlan, the evening brought people together to talk openly about mental health and help fund research.

Breakthrough CEO John Mannion spoke about the people behind the statistics. Research estimates that each person who dies by su***de is known by around 135 people, a reminder of how far a loss can reach across families, friendships, workplaces and communities.

Breakthrough Board Member and generous sponsor James Thredgold invited guests to take part in his Coffee Cup Pledge: give $6.50, the price of a coffee, to support mental health research.

You can take part too. Whether you were with us at the MCG or are watching from home, we’d love your support.

💜 Make your coffee cup pledge today - (see link in bio) or visit this link here
👉https://breakthroughfoundation.org.au/pay-a-coffee-forward-breakthrough-mental-health-dinner-2026/

Thank you to everyone who joined us, volunteered, donated and helped bring our first Melbourne dinner to life.

Event production: Perfect Events Group | Events + Visibility
🎥 Videography: Cinematic Events | Marketing Agency

19/10/2026

Eight teams, one iconic ground and $100,000 raised for cancer and mental health research. 🏏
The inaugural Biggest Backyard Cricket Bash brought our community to Adelaide Oval for a memorable day of T10 cricket, proudly supported by South Australian Cricket Association
Two finalist teams earned their moment on the centre wicket alongside SA cricket greats Cameron Borgas and Tom Plant, with - Turbans 4 Australia (T4A) taking home the inaugural trophy! 🏆
Thank you to every team, donor and supporter who made this result possible. Proceeds will be split between Cancer Council SA and Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation, helping fund research to improve the lives of South Australians.
A huge thank you to 7NEWS Adelaide and Andrew Hayes for sharing the story. Watch their coverage 🎥

19/10/2026

I am proud to have attended the Kokoda trek, on behalf of the Breakthrough team 💜. Kokoda reminded me how much resilience depends on the people beside us. The Kokoda Centurions brought that to life, creating connection and positive role models for men’s mental health throughout an extraordinary challenge. Thanks to the generosity of our trekkers and the wider community, that shared effort also raised funds for The Man Cave and Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation, to help strengthen support for men's mental health. I’m humbled to have been part of it.

Thank you to everyone who donated, encouraged us and made this opportunity possible. It remains one of my proudest personal achievements. I have smashed my fundraising goal, now at $11,859💥
👉Thank you for all your donations: https://lnkd.in/gGsMWErc

19/10/2026

15/10/2026

Generous support helps create lasting ripples.
Thank you to our Gold and Silver sponsors for supporting the Breakthrough Mental Health Dinner at the MCG on 16 October.

Your generosity helps us bring people together for honest conversations about mental health, while raising funds for research into su***de prevention and early intervention.

We’re grateful to have you alongside us.

Gold Sponsors:
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Hines Property
McMahon Services Australia Pty Ltd
James Thredgold Jeweller

Silver Sponsors:
Amorini Australia
Suzi Evans (Workbench for the mind)
Hettich Group
Long Contracting
Encore Event Technologies APAC
Grindal Legal
SW Accountants & Advisors
McLardy McShane
Perfect Events Australia
Intellihub
ALL Accor

One conversation can create ripples of lasting change.