The 2019 survey will ask some new focus questions on issues such as bullying and disability.
ACT young people between the ages of 15 and 19 are being urged to have their say on bullying, disability, mental health, drugs and other issues of concern to them through Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2019.
Last year 336 ACT young people were among 28,000 people nationwide who participated in the survey, with four in 10 ACT participants identifying mental health as the top issue facing Australia today.
This year Mission Australia is hoping to celebrate the survey’s 18th birthday with a record number of participants numbering more than 30,000.
The 2019 survey, which is open until July 31, will ask some new focus questions to better understand young people’s thoughts around bullying, disability and whether young people feel they have enough of a say about the issues that affect them.
Mission Australia State Director for NSW, Victoria and the ACT, Nada Nasser, is encouraging young people in the ACT to share their aspirations, concerns and views for the charity’s 18th annual Youth Survey.
“Mission Australia’s Youth Survey has come of age and is celebrating 18 years. We’re very proud of our Youth Survey, as every year it offers an important temperature check on the thoughts, concerns and aspirations of young Australians,” Ms Nasser said.
“Thanks to the Youth Survey, many organisations like Mission Australia have current evidence on what young people are thinking and experiencing, which helps us to advocate with them and for them for the services and policy changes that they need.
“To celebrate our Youth Survey’s 18th birthday, we’re encouraging even more young people across the ACT to share their voice either online, at school or through a local community group.
“We’re hoping to see more high schools, sporting teams, community youth groups, church groups and community service organisations urge young people to get involved this year,” Ms Nasser said.
“We truly value the voices of young people, and they must be heard. The more young people we have participate, the more comprehensive and inclusive the results will be.”
In 2018, 40.9 per cent of ACT young people (four in 10) identified mental health as the top issue facing Australia today – up from 30.1 per cent in 2017 and quadrupling since 2015.
Last year’s survey also showed that the top three issues of national concern for ACT young people were mental health, alcohol and drugs and equity and discrimination (40.9 per cent, 23.4 per cent and 19.3 per cent respectively).
The top three personal concerns for ACT young people were coping with stress (43.6 per cent), mental health (36.1 per cent) and school or study problems (33.7 per cent).
Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2019 is open to all young people aged 15-19 years-old who are living in Australia.
To take part in the survey, visit www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey. The survey closes on 31 July 2019, with results to be released in late November.
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