Leon Stensholm’s Lookout 07 is having a major impact on Sunshine Coast youths

A resilient Sunshine Coast PT says the heartbreak of his brother’s suicide led him to pour his life savings into a one-of-a-kind youth centre to combat crime and mental health in an effort to “give them hope”.

Leon Stensholm (centre) founder and director of Lookout 07 with some of the volunteers and youths. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A resilient PT has shared how his brother’s suicide was the catalyst to him pouring his life savings into a centre to give troubled youths a safe, judgement free place to connect with others.

Leon Stensholm, 47, of Mountain Creek, lost his brother and best friend Dean Stensholm to suicide 12 years ago.

Shortly after he lost another four clients too.

“It was really eye opening, heartbreaking and hard at the time,” Mr Stensholm said.

“But it’s not a sad story anymore. Now it’s their legacy.

Leon Stensholm founder and director of Lookout 07, Warana. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“They were all isolated and disconnected. They had no safe spaces or people to speak to where they didn’t feel judged.

“I remember thinking to myself at the time that if we don’t do something now then it will just keep happening. Youth crime will go through the roof and more and more young people will go on to kill themselves.

“That’s not the future I want so I did something.”

Mr Stensholm, a former elite athlete and natural bodybuilder turned mental health advocate, founded the Stensholm Foundation in 2023 with a clear vision in mind.

Mr Stensholm said the heartbreaking loss of his brother ignited his unwavering commitment to supporting individuals battling their inner demons, particularly the younger generation burdened by generational trauma.

Mr Stensholm helps a young man workout after school. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Lookout 07 was born from this passion and years of hard work.

The foundation provides a safe and accessible haven for the young people of the Sunshine Coast who grapple with mental health concerns.

Mr Stensholm, his wife Renee and their 18-year-old daughter have lived on the Sunshine Coast for nearly 18 years.

He has worked in critical crisis counselling seven years, acquired a diploma in counselling eight years ago, worked towards his masters and now has a doctorate in counselling.

He has poured his life savings into the new youth centre which includes a gym, half-basketball court, pool tables and a chill out space.

The half-court is a popular feature at the centre. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Sedentary kids tend to overthink,” Mr Stensholm said.

“If you can get them moving they will often feel better about themselves, will vape less, smoke less, and be better behaved and more engaged.

“Exercise is a good way to teach them about dopamine and how exercise is a better way to get those endorphins than vaping and eating junk food.

“When they move more they will also have better conversations and open up more about their problems in counselling. It also leads to better relationships in their lives.”

The dedicated counsellor is at his youth centre at Warana Tuesday to Thursday, 1pm to 7pm.

Mr Stensholm’s selflessness earned him Citizen of the Year at the 2024 Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards.

“It all started as word of mouth but the Sunshine Coast is a small place so now we’re always busy,” Mr Stensholm said.

“It’s solving a problem. They want to come here and talk to us. It’s refreshing.

“If you look for it you’ll see our youths really are just crying out for help and support.”

Mr Stensholm is proud of what he’s done, but said there’s a long way to go. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Parents, support and social workers all take children to the centre after school, while others will make their own way there.

“It’s a place where they can spend time with their carer and other kids while feeling safe and not judged,” Mr Stensholm said.

A focus of the centre was providing youths with an environment where they could genuinely be themselves.

“Giving them somewhere to go is a massive part of the problem but there’s still a lot of work and a long way to go,” Mr Stensholm said.

“It’s a good template. It will evolve and grow.

“We’ve had more than 6000 kids sign in these first 13 months. That’s about 120 to 130 per week.

“It’s been tough too though. We have no funding and about 20 volunteers. Really we need about 20 more.”

Playing indoor football with the boys. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Despite no government support, Mr Stensholm remains hopeful for the centre’s future.

“Parents and youths are telling us it gives them hope. We need hope that change is coming for our younger generations,” he said.

“I know that if we keep at it we are going to bring the suicide rate down.

“Next we want to build an education system to help those reoffending. We need to re-engage them and get them employed.

“I’d like to see these centres pop up in other locations. But other than some local organisations donating I haven’t had any ongoing funding or support.

“I had to take a leap of faith and just do it by myself. Show them that this model does work and make a difference.”

Through his years spent working with troubled and offending youths, Mr Stensholm has developed his own theories on the root cause.

“Monkey see monkey do. It’s pretty simple,” he said.

A couple of youths get stuck into pool. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“As a generation and often as a family everyone needs to step up. I don’t want to place blame but I do believe if everyone looked in the mirror and asked how could I be a better person for my children we’d see change.

“Every individual needs to hold themselves more accountable.

“The cost of living and ongoing societal factors also play a part. It all trickles down from the big decisions made by government to working families and their kids.

“Our kids behaviours and issues is just a reflection of society as a whole right now.

“We’re all a product of our upbringing and the environment we grew up in.”

Mr Stensholm remains positive there is hope and change is already happening around us.

“We’re teaching them to focus on what they can control at the moment instead of what’s too hard and out of their reach,” he said.

“Teaching them to be accountable too so we don’t all become victims of the world.

“It’s about how we can all be a bit better every day for ourselves, each other and the world.

“This place was built for kids to just be themselves and be genuine. It’s free from judgement, it’s safe and there’s a big focus on talking to each other and being vulnerable.

“Those are the real building blocks to moving forward.”