GROUPS
Join a virtual support group held twice a week for your convenince. No commitments to lock into to, jump on when you can to find your tribe.
EDUCATION
Youth Mental health First Aid training (YMHFA) is an invaluable course to arm you with the skills, language and knowledge to be able to confidently support a young person in a mental health crisis.
WISHES
Grant a wish to save a life. A glimmer of hope, a spark of joy - that's all it takes to lift the spirits of a young person and lift the burden on a family trying to keep their kid alive.
THE SOLUTION
We believe at the Please Stay Foundation, that we have found the solution to the youth mental health crisis in Australia. Through our own lived experience and the quantitative data from our support groups and community, we believe the gap in the system - the missing middle - is due to the lack of access to a supportive and empathetic network of others who've experienced or are experiencing the loneliness of caring for a young person in a mental health crisis.
By joining in on one or all of our offerings, you WILL be stronger and more brave and certainly less lonely in this journey. By being strong and supported has proven to us to save lives.... lives of our suicidal kids and also our exhausted and burnt out parents. This is a fact and we've seen it with our own eyes. We've been at the bedsides witnessing the magic of what we've created. Come one, come all, let's do this, together we can and will change the stats on out kids dying by suicide.
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.
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 ARE SUPPORT GROUPS 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.
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 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.
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.
This course is intended to provide participants with the following outcomes:
1. 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.
2. Address immediate safety concerns for a young person in the aftermath of a distressing or traumatic incident.
3. 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.
4. 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.
OUR TRAINER
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. A graduate of the University of New South Wales, Mary majored in Industrial Relations and Political Science before building a career in training and operations, coordinating complex IT implementations and workforce development programs. She brings over two decades of experience to her work—translating systems, safety, and wellbeing into practical, engaging solutions for teams and individuals.
Mary is also a mother of two young adults, both diagnosed in their teen years with neurodivergent conditions. 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.
Originally from Chile and raised in Australia, Mary’s background has shaped her strong values of resilience, forgiveness, and service. Overcoming adversity and childhood trauma, she now channels her energy into creating safe, inclusive spaces for learning and healing.
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.Many thanks for the trust and opportunity to work with you - it is a privilege I don’t take lightly.
WISHES Close Your Eyes, count to 3, Make a Wish...
We grant wishes 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.
Our mission is to provide a holistic approach to youth mental health and 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
A CIRCUIT BREAKER,
A SOFT LANDING,
A SPARK OF JOY.
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
FASHION
"A new wardrobe" is a wish we'd love to grant parents who've been caring for an unwell child haven't been able to work and therefore new shoes and clothes don't come into the day to day living costs of putting food on the table and rent and bills etc. Some new clothes can lift the spirits of a young person and significantly help them gain confidence to venture back out into the world with their head held high
PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Private practitioners should be with your child and family for the long haul, as a holistic approach without having to repeat your story or have differing opinions from a plethora of doctors, counsellors, social workers in the public hospital system.Let us find and fund a private psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor for you. It's a game changer although unaffordable for most.
A Psychiatrist appointment can be in $700, Psychologist $300 +, Cousellor $150 +
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
DNA TESTING for Pyrrols Disorder, heavy metal testing, trauma based therapy such as kinesiology and NET, acupuncture and high dose supplements.These treatments have helped many kids so far and we'd like to make them available to as many as possible, because they work!
We have a proven track record!Hair Follicle/heavy metal testing $150, DNA testing $300+, Kinesiology $140
A LIFE CHANGING HOLIDAY
A chance to get away, leave the current situation to relax and reset as a family. Somewhere totally removed from the pressures of the current situation.All expenses paid, flights, accommodation, whatever they need to make this experience a circuit breaker - a spark of joy - something to look forward to that was otherwise so far from possible. Each experience is tailored to each individual and their family.
MEET YOUR IDOL
A Movie Star, a Sports Star, a Pop StarWe all know the feeling of elation when you see your idol on the screen. Imagine a real life encounter and how that would lift the spirits of anyone. Gifting that feeling to a young person who's not felt joy for a while, is a game changer - that's the spark we want to ignite!The options are endless eg: Meet their favourite pop star at their concert with backstage passes and VIP access.
Meet your favourite sports star before a gameMeet the Crusty Demons and ride a motorcycle alongside them or to Cook up a storm with a celebrity chef.
GRANTED...
Course fees paid for Certificate II in
Captive Animal Care
at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Mentoring by a published poet to further our young person's career in creative writing and play-writing.
Her play was produced
and was a success!
Gifting a sewing maching to a young person with severe social anxiety to persue her dream to become a fashion designer.
Self harm scar reduction treatment for 2 young people. 6 treatments each over 18 months.
Support Parent/Carers to access our services
Frequency
One time
Yearly
Amount
5 x Virtual support groups for 1 Parent/Carer participant (1.5 hours/session)
$100
10 x Virtual support groups for 1 Parent/Carer participant (1.5 hours/session)
$200
Other
0/100
Comment (optional)
Make a wish come true...
Frequency
One time
Monthly
Yearly
Amount
$100
$200
$500
$1,500
Other
0/100
Comment (optional)