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WHO WE ARE
SOPHIE HENSON
FOUNDER, CEO, CHIEF HOPE OFFICER
MEMBER, BOARD DIRECTOR
TBH, I wear a lot of hats... Florist, Photographer, gardener, Muma, Doggie owner, Daughter, Sister and a friend... but by far the most rewarding role (other than muma) is helping young people and their families navigate their way through the shit show that is the current mental health system. It's a tough gig and at times exhausting but I'm here and I'm doing it and I'm not going anywhere xxx
OUR TEAM
AMANDA KELLER OAM
AMBASSADOR
Amanda is an Australian television and radio presenter, comedian, writer, actress, journalist and media personality, best known as the hostess of the popular Australian lifestyle program The Living Room. Keller also co-hosts Jonesy & Amanda with Brendan Jones on WSFM 101.7
AMANDA has a fierce passion for the wellbeing of our young people and is therefore an incredible force behind our mission
ARLEA WHELAN YOUTH AMBASSADOR
Arlea is an author and passionate mental health advocate, she is dedicated to changing the mental health system after experiencing it first hand.
Arlea first became unwell and was admitted to hospital at 16, there was so much fear and uncertainty. From there, her world would only get smaller. With the unwavering support of her parents who sacrificed so much to keep her safe, she survived. At age 20, she lost a dear friend to suicide, graduated high school and wrote her first book. At 22, she was working as a creative writing facilitator for young people from diverse backgrounds. At 23, she became an award-winning playwright and had multiple poems published in print and online. At 24, Arlea finished her second book. She still lives with mental illnesses, chronic illnesses and the trauma of many hospital admissions. She has scars, but is healing. She still needs support, but sees now that life is worth living. That’s why she decided to accept the position of Youth Ambassador for the Please Stay Foundation: because every life is matters, and no one deserves to feel like their only option is to leave.
MARY BLANKEVOORT EDUCATOR & TRAINER
Mary is an entrepreneur, trainer, and mental health advocate. She co-founded Metro Training in 2009, specialising in first aid, workplace health and safety, and compliance consulting across sectors like childcare, aged care, and hospitality. A UNSW graduate in Industrial Relations and Political Science, Mary has over 20 years of experience in training, IT implementations, and workforce development, delivering practical solutions for teams and individuals.
A proud mother of two neurodivergent young adults, Mary’s late ADHD diagnosis at 45 sparked a journey of self-discovery, deepening her empathy for others facing mental health challenges.
Originally from Chile and raised in Australia, Mary values resilience, forgiveness, and service. Having overcome childhood trauma, she now creates safe, inclusive spaces for learning and healing. As a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, she works with the Please Stay Foundation, helping equip others with tools to support young people in crisis. Teaching with humour, heart, and real-life experience, Mary feels honoured to contribute to the foundation’s mission.
OUR BOARD
MELINDA MADIGAN
Board Director
(Non-Executive)
Marketing and Strategy
PENNY KALETA
Board Director
(Non-Executive)
Corporate/Media
Partnerships
DAYLE LUMMIS
Board Director
(Non-Executive)
Grants /Fundraising & Strategy
STEPHEN DIGBY
Board Advisor
Community Engagement &
Legal Advisor
SOPHIE'S STORY
Four years ago I saved my daughter’s life. It took blood, sweat, tears and thousands of kilometres, but I did it. I literally took her out of our life, and into another, to save her. And it worked, thank God. She stayed.
For 3 years we as a family endured the trials and tribulations of the youth mental health system. It's terrifying and impossibly lonely.
PLEASE STAY, something I said to her a million times whether it was after a self-harm or suicide attempt, cradling her in my arms praying she'd stay. Or running away from home to avoid going to school, and having to file missing persons reports... please stay, please stay, please stay.
Lucky for us she stayed. We were one of the lucky families if you can call it that, but many families don't have the happy ending we did and that is the tragic truth. Suicide is growing amongst our young people aged 8-24yrs, and the leading cause of death. An epidemic some would say.
With 4 years in the system, 8 suicide attempts, a 3 month admission in hospital, 5 different schools and 6 missing persons reports - we get it and I've lived it and it 'aint pretty.
If only during this time I’d had the gift of a circuit breaker, an empathetic ear from someone with lived experience, another mum or dad who had been where I was in that moment. I truly believe it would have been life changing.
Today, parents are facing an enormous challenge with our kids, and the forces upon them. I know I’m not alone…
Private mental health care is often unattainable due to financial restrictions, and natural therapies are overlooked, and also costly. A holiday, an experience or meeting your footy idol. Laser for self harm scar reduction, getting your hair done or going to volunteer at the zoo. Any wish is a possibility - and we know it works. I believe a holistic approach is the cog that’s missing in their journey to recovery. I couldn’t sit around watching the youth mental health crisis escalate, and do nothing.
So here we are and we will make a difference - that I can promise.
Founder & CEO,
Sophie Henson
OUR SUCCESS STORIES
HOLLY, 18 yrs
Holly has been with the PSF family for six months. When their mum came to us she was at her wits end and didn’t know where to turn. The hospital wouldn’t admit her again as she was “untreatable” and they could no longer help her.
Holly was diagnosed with treatment resistant depression and anxiety, PTSD and chronic suicide ideation. She had three hospital admissions in 2022 and severe school refusal.
With our support and guidance we’ve helped her turn a corner – a very sharp corner, and very quickly!
We secured a place for Holly to attend Rufftrack in the Hawkesbury area, and it’s changed her life. She’s found her tribe and gets to spend all day with her working dog family. She won the “Stepping Up” award at her graduation in 2022 and she’ll be returning there this year. It’s not government funded so she needs our help.
ARLEA, 23 YEARS
We’ve been supporting Arlea and her family of five for two years. She was in a very dangerous place when she came to us, with three suicide attempts in two weeks and her self harm, intrusive thoughts and OCD taking over her life. She went to see a kinesiologist, had hair, DNA and urine analysis done which alerted us to a number of significant deficiencies. Once these had been treated the difference was amazing.
We then organised private mentoring sessions with a published poet to encourage her poetry writing. She has blossomed into a happy, social and confident young lady. With her new-found strength and courage she wants to help others who are struggling as she did. Oh, and one of Arlea’s incredible poems has been published in a collab book - just saying!
She now wants to walk the Camino Trail in Spain!
CLARITY, 21 YEARS
We’ve been supporting Clarity for the last 12 months, she’s received scar reduction treatment to her self harm injuries, mentoring and continued support from us with her studies at National Art School in Sydney. Clarity wanted to do something nice for her Mum for her birthday so we sent them for a fun day at the hair salon to lift their spirits, “we can’t stop looking at ourselves in the mirror” was our feedback! Prior to engaging with us, she was refusing school, self harming and had attempted suicide. With our support and encouragement we’ve helped her gain confidence again, enough confidence to be on a trip in India with her grandpa… for a young person who could barely leave the house this is a miracle.
INDIA, 20 yrs
India was the catalyst to starting PSF three years ago. Her story was the one that gave us the light bulb moment that young people and their families needed a sense of community to survive the long and lonely journey for kids within the mental health system.
India had severe social anxiety, eight suicide attempts in three years and absolute school refusal. She’s now well, and thriving. She has completed high school at TAFE and is studying to be a Zookeeper at Dubbo Zoo.
We paid for this and have been the lifeline paying for private psychology sessions. We also helped Indie set up her own little business making candles and beauty products which she sells online and at local markets. She also works part time at her local café as the barista and has just been awarded employee of the month - such an achievement.
She’d love to meet Kath and Kim so that’s next on the list!