To coincide with National Youth Week, Mission Australia is undertaking its ninth annual National Survey of Young Australians aged 11 to 24 yrs.
It’s Australia’s biggest annual survey on the views, concerns and values of young people, and gives young Australians a chance to comment on a wide range of issues.
In launching the 2010 survey, Mission Australia’s head of Research and Social Policy, Anne Hampshire, said the results of the survey would be used to help community groups and governments plan and develop youth services.
“This year the survey has some additional questions around what young people see as the main issues in Australia today, how optimistic they feel about the future and what should be done about the things that concern them.
“These questions in particular will help us to develop programs and strategies that are shaped by the voices of young people themselves,” she said.
The responses provide valuable information for anyone interested in the well-being of young people.
Last year’s results
Last year’s survey, which had close to 48,000 respondents, revealed that drugs, suicide and body image were the biggest concerns for 11 to 24-year-olds.
When asked to rank their concerns about 15 issues, one in four young people (26.8 per cent) said drugs, closely followed by suicide (at 26.3 per cent) and body image (at 25.5 per cent).
As in previous surveys, the group that was most concerned about mental health issues was young adults. The top two issues for young adults were depression and coping with stress, with about 30 per cent saying each was of major concern.
By comparison, 16 per cent of 11 to 14-year-olds were concerned about these issues and 21 per cent of 15 to 19-year-olds.
Issues that rated highly, regardless of age or gender included:
- suicide
- family conflict
- personal safety
- bullying and emotional abuse.
One-third of respondents (31 per cent) said they valued their physical and mental health highly.
When it comes to talking about personal problems, most young people speak to their friends (85 per cent), parents (73 per cent) and relatives (60 per cent). This hasn’t changed over time, with the 2009 results very similar to the 2002 survey.
Almost a quarter (22.5 per cent) of respondents identified the internet as an important source of advice and support.
beyondblue’s response to the 2009 survey
CEO of beyondblue, Leonie Young congratulated Mission Australia on its survey analysis. She said the report highlights the importance of encouraging young people to reach out to their peers, family and trusted adults to discuss their worries.
“We know that three-quarters of mental health problems experienced by adults develop in young adulthood, between the ages of 15 to 25. It is vitally important that young people have an understanding of the issues and speak up when they are troubled,” she said.
“It is understandable that most young people trust their friends and parents with their personal problems, however, we know that there are still young people out there who feel they can’t open up to anyone. I would encourage anyone who is having a tough time to check out our website for information, or call out info line to talk to someone about where to get help.”
Mission Australia’s 2010 National Survey of Young Australians can be completed online at www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey.
For information on depression and anxiety, youth services and available support, visit beyondblue’s youth website www.youthbeyondblue.com, www.headspace.org.au, www.kidshelp.com.au, or call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 46 36.
