World record-breaking ultra-runner and resilience and leadership expert Sean Bell will headline this year’s Chris Yeung Fund MENtal Brekky.

Supported by St Patrick’s College, the 2026 MENtal Brekky encourages the community to “Pull Up a Chair” and start a conversation about men’s mental health.

The Brekky, now in its 10th year, will be held in the Old Collegians’ Association Pavilion at St Patrick’s College from 7am-8.30am on Friday, 23 October.

It is the major fundraiser for the Chris Yeung Fund, which raises awareness of men’s mental health and provides financial assistance to families in the St Patrick’s College community where the father is suffering mental illness.

Since its inception, the Brekky has raised enough funds to provide fee relief to more than 20 students (some over multiple years), equating to more than $155,000.

Sean is a world record-breaking ultra-runner who ran 13,383 kilometres around Australia in 158 days. His six-year journey, marked by resilience, purpose and extreme dedication, has raised over $277,000 for Make-A-Wish Australia. 

Sean’s story takes in learning early lessons in resilience. But it was the devastating loss of a footy teammate at just 18 years old in 2016 that profoundly changed Sean’s perspective. Determined to live a life of purpose, Sean turned to running as an outlet for his grief and mental health. By 2017, he completed his first marathon and realised running could become more than a personal passion – it could be a platform to inspire and make a difference.

Tell us a bit about your own mental health journey.

It was in the six months immediately after running around Australia that I really noticed my own battle with mental health.

The run had guided my life for six years. I poured everything into it physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. When it finished, I was left dealing with CNS fatigue, brain fog, injury, illness, and depression.

What made it even harder was losing the ability to run due to injury, because running had always been my outlet. Growing up, I used exercise and sport as a way to escape a challenging environment at home and clear my head. From a young age, getting out on the road and moving my body gave me purpose, structure, and space mentally. It became something that kept me grounded, not just as an athlete, but as a person.

I also grew up seeing the impacts mental health can have on families. My dad battled his own mental health challenges and used alcohol to escape them. He was too proud to open up or seek help, and that affected all of us around him.

Over time, I realised that strength is not pretending everything is okay. Real strength is being willing to talk, ask for help, and take ownership of getting better.

What are your top tips towards improving your mental health?

  • Seek professional support and don’t be afraid to talk about it. Opening up to friends that I was seeing a psychologist helped normalise those conversations and made me realise a lot more people around me were getting support too. It reminded me that struggling is far more common than most people think, and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
  • I still see my psychologist regularly. During really difficult periods it might be weekly, and when things are going well it is still monthly or quarterly. Mental health is something we need to actively work on, not just react to when things fall apart.
  • Move your body daily. Exercise has been one of the biggest tools for my mental health throughout my life. For me, movement creates clarity, routine, confidence, and momentum. It does not have to be elite sport either. Walking, running, training, surfing, team sports, or simply getting outside all help.
  • Respect the foundations. Sleep, nutrition, hydration, sunlight, and recovery matter more than most people realise. When I am sleeping well, fuelling properly, and taking care of my body, I am a far better version of myself mentally and emotionally.
  • Protect your identity outside of work and achievement. We live in a world where people tie too much of their self-worth to performance, business, sport, or external success. Make time for hobbies, relationships, community, and things that genuinely fulfil you outside of work.
  • Spend intentional time away from distractions. We are constantly stimulated by phones, social media, and noise. Some of the most important moments for me have come when I have slowed down enough to reflect on what matters, what is draining me, and what kind of life I want to build.
  • Practice gratitude with intention. Not in a superficial way, but by genuinely recognising the people, opportunities, health, and experiences you do have, even during difficult periods. Perspective can shift a lot.

What do you hope to share with our audience?

That we all have a “Run Within” us.

During my run around Australia, I realised there were really two runs happening every day. There was the physical run, but there was also the internal one. The battle between doubt and belief. Between stopping and taking the next step. Between who I was at the beginning of the journey and who the challenge required me to become.

That is where the idea of “The Run Within” came from.

While most people will never run around Australia, everyone faces pressure, setbacks, uncertainty, and moments where life feels overwhelming. A big part of my message is that we don’t have to carry those moments alone. There is real strength in opening up, leaning on others, and asking for help when we need it, but alongside that support, it is still up to us to take ownership of our next step.

Is your message one that resonates with all ages and backgrounds?

Absolutely. Mental health impacts everyone, whether personally or through someone they love.

While my story comes through endurance running, the message goes far beyond sport. I grew up around instability, mental health struggles, and alcoholism at home, and used sport and exercise as an outlet from a young age. A big part of my story is about learning that your environment or upbringing does not have to define your future.

The lessons around resilience, identity, pressure, support, and taking ownership of your life apply to people from all ages and backgrounds, whether they are athletes or not.

Tickets for the 2026 MENtal Brekky cost $65 per person and can be purchased via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DLZKU

Tables of 10 can be purchased for $600 by emailing Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au 

Monetary donations and raffle prizes are also most welcome. Please reach out to Lorrie Liston to assist in this space.