Toowoomba youth develops their voice
WHEN given an opportunity to share their voice, 1000 young people from the Toowoomba region joined 24,000 other young Australians in sharing their concerns about mental health, the environment, and bullying.
The Mission Australia Youth Survey Report 2019 revealed 38 per cent of Toowoomba residents between the ages of 15 and 19 indicated mental health was an issue of concern for youth in Australia.
“Mental health is the number-one concern for young people not just in this region but across Australia,” Mission Australia acting state director Phil Flint said.
“We are urgently calling for additional support and evidence based programs, so we’re able to support the mental health of young people throughout this country.
“There’s enough pressures for young people in today’s society as it is, and when they’re clearly saying and voicing their concerns around mental health, we have a responsibility to listen and support them through those critical years into adulthood and their own independent lives.”
The environment was the second most important issue of concern for young people, skyrocketing up from eighth place in 2018.
“Unfortunately we can see evidence of those concerns in the recent and ongoing fires,” Dr Flint said. “Young people are really saying strongly and clearly how concerned they are around the climate, the environment and they are wanting to do more, have a say and have their voice heard.”
In 2019, for the first time, the survey asked about bullying. The Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley regions stood out as bullying was highlighted as a bigger concern in these regions compared to nationally.
Mission Australia opened its new office in Annand St yesterday, where it will run its Reconnect and Going Places programs.
Through these programs, Toowoomba youth can partake in a range of activities including art and soccer.
Nineteen-year-old Masooma Damarda said the Reconnect program had really helped her and her family.
“I am very thankful for this Mission Australia program, they have helped me and my family a lot with medical, sports, and transport,” Ms Damarda said.
“One thing I really love to do is play sports, soccer especially, and this program has helped me to play more and give me the chance to do what I like.”