WHAT WE DO
ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS
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.
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.
Join a virtual support groups held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12-1pm. Click here for more details and how to join in to find your tribe.
Online Support Groups - Unlimited Access
99
Unlimited access to our Online Support Groups. (min 1 session - max of 12 p/mth)
Virtual groups Mon, Wed & Fri 12-1 pm. Bookings are essential as the groups are capped at 6 people per session.
Valid for one month
SPONSOR A VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP
Sponsor a virtual support group for 1 month
$99
Sponsor a virtual support group for 3 months
$297
Sponsor a virtual support group for 6 months
$594
Sponsor a virtual support group for 12 months
$1,188
0/100
Comment (optional)
WHY ARE SUPPORT GROUPS NECESSARY?
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.
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.
Preventing Carer Burnout
Preventing Carer BurnoutWhen 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.
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.
Bridging
the Gap
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.
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 x 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 privledge 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 -there's nobody else running. 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. WELL DONE US!!
Leanne, mum of 3 teenagers
TESTIMINIOAL
"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."
EDUCATION
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING COURSE - YMHFA
The YMHFA course equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the concepts of mental health, recognise, respond to, and provide support to young people who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
Today’s youth face a range of pressures and challenges, including academic demands, social expectations, family dynamics, and exposure to trauma or adverse experiences. This course aims to empower participants to better understand these challenges and develop the confidence to provide meaningful support to young people in need.
Our YMHFA Courses are based on the Registered course. We've extracted the best bits and those we feel are the most important and easiest to digest and activate. We have combined the experience of our lived experience parents, carers and young people, also Doctors, Academics and profossional trainers.
This course is intended to provide participants with the following outcomes, skills and knowledge;
Know how to respond to emerging mental health crises, ensuring the safety of the young person and understanding where to seek immediate help or professional support.
Develop an understanding of the unique challenges youth face and how to provide appropriate support to help them navigate these pressures while promoting resilience and wellbeing.
Empowering participants with the knowledge and skills to understand youth mental health concepts and recognise the physical, behavioural, and psychological signs indicating a change in a young person’s mental wellbeing.
Address immediate safety concerns for a young person in the aftermath of a distressing or traumatic incident.
OUR TRAINERS
MARY BLANKEVOORT
Mary is an entrepreneur, trainer, and passionate advocate for mental health.
She co-founded and runs Metro Training, a vocational education business established in 2009, specialising in first aid, workplace health and safety, and compliance consulting across childcare, aged care, hospitality, and community services.
Mary is also a mother of two neurodivergent young adults. Her own late ADHD diagnosis at age 45 sparked a powerful journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and transformation, deepening her lived experience and empathy for others navigating mental health challenges.
As a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, Mary is honoured to work with the Please Stay Foundation, helping equip others with the tools, insight, and compassion needed to support young people in crisis and their families. Her goal is to make complex ideas easy to understand—and to always teach with a bit of humour, heart, and real-life experience.
WISHES Close Your Eyes, count to 3, Make a Wish...
Grant a wish to save a life.
A glimmer of hope
A spark of joy
A Lightbulb Moment
That's all it takes to lift the spirits of a young person and lift the burden on a family trying to keep their young person alive.
Our mission is to provide a holistic approach to youth mental health.To make sure no young person, or family, has to go through it alone.Grant a wish to save a life.
STICK AROUND KIDDO, WE GOT THIS xxx
We grant wishes to our precious young people. To spark some joy and break the cycle.
WISHES LIKE funding private mental health treatments, hair & beauty treatments, meeting an idol,
or anything that can make your young person's eyes light up, their wish is our command.
GRANTED WISHES
GRANTED WISHES TREATMENTS TO INCREASE CONFIDENCE AND SELF WORTH
SELF-HARM SCAR REDUCTION TREATMENT
Self harm is common in young people with a mental health condition. Their scars are a constant reminder of where they've been and prevent them from getting back out into the world. The fear of showing their scars and the judgement they feel can be debilitating and an unnecessary road block in their recovery. Laser treatment helps reduce scars by 50% over 12 months but only accessible at a cost of $6,000.
PROFESSIONAL SKIN CARE TREATMENTS
Acne is a very common condition in kids and young people, and can add to one's feelings of low self esteem and in severe cases stop them from leaving the house. Treatment is available however a dermatologist appointment can exceed $400 p/hr plus the medication prescribed and neither are covered by Medicare.
PROFESSIONAL HAIRCARE
Hairdresser appointments are both expensive and daunting. The thought of sitting in a salon in front of a mirror talking to strangers is too much to bear. We've partnered with the Feelgood Project Foundation who provide a safe space for our young people and their parent or carer to come and enjoy being pampered at no cost.