PARENT & CARER SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups for parents and carers of mentally unwell young people are crucial because they address a major gap in Australia’s struggling mental health system. While much attention is given to the treatment of the young person, the wellbeing of their caregivers is often overlooked, leaving them isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported.
WHY SUPPORT GROUPS ARE NECESSARY
1. Emotional Support & Validation
Parents and carers experience high levels of stress, guilt, and exhaustion. Being part of a support group allows them to connect with others who truly understand their struggles, reducing feelings of isolation and validating their experiences.
2. Practical Guidance
Navigating the mental health system is complex and frustrating. Support groups provide firsthand advice on accessing services, understanding treatment options, and advocating for their child within a fragmented system.
3. Preventing Carer Burnout
When carers are unsupported, they risk burnout, which affects their ability to provide the necessary care for their child. Support groups promote self-care and resilience, helping parents maintain their own mental and emotional health.
4. Bridging the Gap in Services
The Australian mental health system is notoriously underfunded and overstretched, often leaving families without adequate professional support. Support groups help fill this void by offering a space where families can share resources, strategies, and hope.
5.Empowerment & Advocacy
A collective voice is stronger than an individual one. Support groups enable parents to advocate for better policies, funding, and services, pushing for systemic change that benefits all families dealing with youth mental health issues.
The Missing Link in a Failing System
Australia’s mental health system is failing young people due to long wait times, limited access to psychiatrists, and a lack of early intervention programs. However, an overlooked consequence of this failing system is the neglect of the parents and carers who are on the front lines every day. Without proper support, they struggle to provide the stability and care their child needs, perpetuating a cycle of crisis.By investing in and promoting support groups for carers, we can strengthen the entire mental health support network, ensuring that young people receive not just medical treatment but also the long-term, informed, and compassionate care they need at home.
These groups are not just helpful—they are essential.
PARENT & CARER SUPPORT GROUPS
MUMA GROUP PILOT SERIES 2025
WOW what a success! We joined a bunch of mums together for our pilot MUMA SUPPORT weekly group. It ran for 12 weeks ending with a fantastic face-to-face catch up hosted by one of the group. We treated the mums to 2 live speakers who kindly donated their time, Dr Lisa Myers - psychiatrist www.awarehub.com.au and Nina Cruz - conscient parent coach www.ninacruzconsciouscoaching.com
We were all enthralled with what they had to say not to mention being enthralled with each other and it was a magical experience to hug and laugh and cry together, what a priveledge it was to witness. The purpose of this pilot run was to build some quantitive data on whether this would be helpful to parents whilst they're enduring the journey of their child's mental health crisis and the effects it has on them and their families. We have proven that yes, it is desperately needed and what we offer is unique and we are the first and currently the only organisation to help parents and carers on such a raw and vulnerable topic and delivered in this very accessible way.
We are therefore proud to be offering 2 time slots each week on the back of our observations and can't wait to cast the net further into rural and regional NSW and Australia wide.
I have waited 12 years to find a group like this, and yes I've found my smile again xx
Denise, 60 mum of 3 young adults
TESTIMONIALS
"The Please Stay Foundation has been a huge support for me. Raising easy kids is easy, I have two of them. I also have a daughter with mental health issues which makes parenting extremely challenging. But unless you have a child with challenges, it's hard to understand the complexity, the impact on the family and your own mental health as well as how to best support your child. It's a maze trying to work out which support services will be most helpful, how to get through the day and keep your child safe and alive. The Foundation has made all the difference for me. For the first time I felt I was not alone. I'm surrounded by empathetic and understanding people who are struggling like me. It's a safe place, free of judgement, just supporting and sharing our own experiences, which are very helpful to each other. Sophie has created something that was desperately needed in a world where mental health is spiralling. It's a lifeline for many of us." Leanne 52, mum of 3
Thank you for setting up this foundation. The way you have brought people together is a gift to us all. Everyone made made me feel so welcome with a topic that has often made me feel isolated and judged. I am eternally grateful."
Alanna 52, mum of 2 teenage girls.
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