Will you help save a young life today?
Make a monthly donation to help a young person overcome their addiction.
Lisa’s story
Behind so many stories of drug and alcohol addiction, there is trauma. Often, substance abuse is used as a coping mechanism.
This was true for Lisa*. She was just nine when her stepdad started abusing her. Years of neglect and violence left her with panic attacks, severe anxiety and self-harming.
“Eventually, I was abusing drugs and alcohol. I couldn’t face the day without something in my system.” ˗ Lisa
Addiction was not Lisa’s choice. And it was not her fault.

Without your ongoing support, we can’t care for young people like Lisa seeking the help they deserve. There is an urgent need for us to secure ongoing funding so we can help as many young people in crisis as possible.
Children like Lisa need a safe place to heal
After her third suicide attempt, Lisa sought help. Thankfully, she found a place at a treatment centre for young Australians funded by Sir David Martin Foundation. During her treatment, Lisa was supported to manage her mental illness and address the trauma she suffered as a young girl.
Without this opportunity, other young people like Lisa will continue down the dark and dangerous path of addiction.
The painful truth is:
Suicide
is the leading cause of death for young Australians
93%
of the young people who need our help with addiction live with a mental illness, often undiagnosed
40%
of Australians requesting help for drug and alcohol addiction are under 30
Help save a young person’s life with a regular donation
We have already helped over 3000 vulnerable young Australians. Recently we doubled the number of young people we help each year with the addition of a purpose built withdrawal unit. With your support we can continue to fund essential youth withdrawal, rehabilitation and aftercare services.
We rely on generous donors who believe that young Australians in crisis deserve special care. A monthly donation is the best way to help keep these vital programs operating.
Please donate and give a young person a pathway out of addiction. Will you help them find the safety, hope and opportunity they deserve?
About us
Sir David Martin Foundation is a 30-year old family foundation, helping young people in crisis. The Foundation is named after the former Governor of NSW and the Martin family continues to drive the vision of Sir David, to give safety, hope and opportunity to all vulnerable young Australians. We are the major funder of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, a unique, holistic treatment centre which each year gives over 200 vulnerable young Australians, aged 16-24, a safe place to get well and prepare for new opportunities.
*Names and images changed to protect privacy