Survey reveals top youth concerns

YOUNG people are most concerned about finances, housing instability, the environment and their mental health, a Mission Australia survey has revealed.

The youth survey report showed the environment (51.0 per cent), equity and discrimination (35.9 per cent) and mental health (33.9 per cent) were key issues for those aged 15 to 19.

Mission Australia chief executive Sharon Callister said the 79-page report, which involved surveying 18,800 young people between April and August, showed there was a range of challenges facing youth.

“Transitioning to adulthood comes with challenges and these are even more pronounced for more vulnerable young people like those who are homeless or financially stressed,” she said.

“As we consider this year’s findings, we must bear in mind the impacts that the pandemic, recent natural disasters and financial pressures have on young people’s lives and perspectives.

“Australia must do all we can, so the negative impacts of the past few years don’t cause ongoing problems for this generation.”

The report says about one in 10 young people were worried about having a safe place to live and 8.4 per cent spent time away because they felt they could not return home.

About one in 20 young people or their families could not afford bills or car expenses, while 6.4 per cent had to seek some form of financial assistance.

The importance of environmental issues, meanwhile, skyrocketed to 51 per cent, from 38 per cent last year and 29.8 per cent in 2020.

About one in four people were also extremely or very concerned about climate change, the report revealed.

Equity and discrimination were considered important national issues for 35.9 per cent of respondents, while 27.1 per cent said they were unfairly treated in the past year, mostly due to their gender, race/cultural background or mental health.

“Clearly young people are enduring and seeing gender, racial and mental health related discrimination around them,” said Ms Callister.