Every conversation about mental health starts somewhere. Sometimes, it starts with a beer coaster.
If you’ve arrived here from a ‘Mental Health on Tap’ coaster, welcome.
This initiative, created by mental health advocate and Mental Health First Aid instructor David Westgate, is designed to encourage open conversations about mental health and connect people with trusted information and support.
On the back of each coaster is a unique QR code that leads to advice from Australia’s leading mental health institutions.
Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation is proud to partner with David on this campaign. As South Australia’s only dedicated mental health research foundation, Breakthrough funds research to help prevent, diagnose, and treat mental illness.
Together, we believe that reducing stigma starts with conversation. We hope the information below helps you learn more about mental health, recognise when someone may be struggling, and know where to find support.
About our Foundation
Whether you’ve been touched by mental illness yourself, or simply believe things need to change, you’ve found your people.
Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation is a for-purpose organisation dedicated to creating a life free from mental illness. For more than eight years, we have been funding evidence-based research to better understand what causes mental illness, how to reduce its impact, and ultimately how to prevent it before it begins.
Together with our supporters, researchers and partners, we are driving life-changing discoveries, empowering communities, and creating a future where mental health is understood, valued and prioritised.
Because a life free from mental illness is the freedom to leave your home, chase your dreams, build meaningful relationships, and live without unnecessary limitations. It’s a future we want for everyone.
What is the problem?
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It affects individuals, families, workplaces and communities across Australia.
Today, 44% of Australians will experience a mental health issue at some point in their life, while 75% of diagnosable mental illness begins before the age of 24. Every day, nine Australians die by suicide.
Despite these confronting statistics, mental health research remains critically underfunded. Nearly 90% of funding bypasses research and goes directly to support services. While support services are essential, research is what helps us better understand causes, improve treatments and ultimately prevent mental illness before it begins.
Without research, we cannot create lasting change.
How We Create Change
At Breakthrough, research is at the heart of everything we do. We believe lasting change happens through research, connection and education.
We fund research
We invest in evidence-based, science-led research that helps uncover the causes of mental illness, improves treatment outcomes and drives prevention strategies.
We connect communities
We bring people together through events, fundraising, partnerships and community programs to reduce stigma and create open conversations around mental health.
We educate and empower
Through education initiatives and Mental Health First Aid training, we empower individuals and communities with the tools, knowledge and confidence to support mental wellbeing.
Every conversation started, every dollar raised and every breakthrough discovered moves us closer to a life free from mental illness.
Our focus areas
Breakthrough funds research in areas where it is needed most, helping improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities across Australia.
Aboriginal Mental Health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience significantly higher levels of psychological distress and suicide. We support culturally informed research that aims to improve mental health outcomes and strengthen community wellbeing.
Children’s and Youth Mental Health
Half of all diagnosable mental illness begins between the ages of 11 and 14. We invest in research that helps young Australians build resilience, improve emotional wellbeing and access support earlier.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have devastating physical and emotional impacts. We support research that improves early intervention, treatment and recovery outcomes.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in Australia and impacts people of all ages and backgrounds. Our research focus aims to improve understanding, treatment and prevention.
Recognising the Signs of Emotional Suffering
Mental illness isn’t always visible. Sometimes, the signs can appear gradually through changes in behaviour, mood or daily habits. Recognising these signs early can help someone get the support they need sooner.
The five common signs of emotional suffering include:
Personality Changes
Acting differently than how they normally would, displaying uncharacteristic behaviour, or simply not feeling like themselves.
Agitation
Becoming unusually angry, anxious, moody, overwhelmed or irritable.
Withdrawal
Pulling away from family, friends, social activities or things they once enjoyed.
Poor Self-Care
Neglecting personal hygiene, health, responsibilities or engaging in risky behaviours.
Hopelessness
Expressing feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, exhaustion or a loss of hope for the future.
Recognising these signs, especially when they are new, persistent or intense, can make a meaningful difference and support early intervention.
Make mental health awareness easy
Need a quick reference to these signs?
Keep the 5 signs only a fingertip away on your phone by downloading your own virtual card.
With kind thanks to David Westgate for his generosity and unique eye-catching designs on Bar Coasters, a mental health initiative called “Mental Health on Tap”.
You can see more of his designs from his website.
