Changing the
Course of Mental
Illness
Who we are
Who we are
Breakthrough is a leading mental health research foundation.
Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation is an Australian for-purpose organisation with a growing national footprint. Our vision is to help create a life free from mental illness.
We believe lasting progress in mental health depends on stronger evidence and on ensuring that knowledge reaches the people and communities who can use it.
Breakthrough turns the mental health conversation into action through three connected pillars: research, connection and education.
We invest in evidence-based research to strengthen prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery.
We connect researchers, clinicians, governments, businesses, communities and people with lived experience, helping ensure research responds to genuine needs and reaches the places where it can make a difference.
We translate research evidence into practical education, training, tools and programs for schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and communities. These programs equip people to recognise mental distress, start supportive conversations and guide others towards appropriate help.
Research creates evidence. Connection brings people and knowledge together. Education turns evidence into meaningful change.
of Australians may experience mental illness at some point in their life.
of diagnosable mental illness onsets between the ages of 11 and 14.
of diagnosable mental illness onsets before the age of 24.
Australians die of suicide every day.
More young Australians
aged 15-44 die from suicide than any other cause.
is the estimated annual cost of mental illness on Australia’s economy.
How Breakthrough began
Breakthrough was established in South Australia in 2018, inspired by the belief that mental health deserved the same serious investment in research as every other major health challenge.
At a time when much of the system focused on supporting people after mental illness had taken hold, Breakthrough set out to ask different questions: Why does mental illness develop? How can we intervene earlier? Ultimately, how might it be prevented?
Breakthrough also recognised that mental health needed to be understood and supported beyond hospitals and clinical settings. Stigma had to be challenged, conversations made easier and research evidence taken into the places where people live, work and belong.
That founding vision continues under CEO John Mannion. His experience spans frontline mental health nursing, four years as Executive Director of Mental Health Services within the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, and service as South Australia’s Lead Mental Health Commissioner.
What began as a purpose-led South Australian foundation is now extending its reach across Australia. Our purpose remains unchanged: to build understanding, act earlier and help create a life free from mental illness.
