Unsurprisingly, the pandemic continues to dominate the concerns of young Australians.
More than 20,000 Australians aged 15-19 undertook Mission Australia’s 20th annual Youth Survey, which provides a snapshot of how young people feel about numerous issues affecting their lives. The coronavirus as a key concern has risen from second place in 2020 (38.8%) to the top spot in 2021 (45.7%) – an increase of 18%.
Young people said COVID-19 and the related lockdowns had adversely affected their ability to participate in activities (68.3%), their education (62.3%) and mental health (50.3%). Female and gender diverse respondents reported feeling much more affected by COVID-19 across almost all areas when compared with male respondents.
The environment (38.0%), and equity and discrimination (35.4%) rounded out the top three key issues in 2021 that young people felt Australia must address.
Mission Australia’s CEO James Toomey said: ‘Young people are showing they’re aware of and care about social and personal issues affecting themselves, their peers and their country.
‘Now is a critical time to make sure young people are heard. Young people can and should create and advise on solutions that will address issues that affect them, other young people, and Australia.’
Mr Toomey said that without the right supports and policy settings in place, there was a real concern the pandemic would have long-term effects on young people.
The second key concern was the environment, with close to four in 10 (38.0%) young people saying it was a national issue (more than doubling since 2012 (18.0%)). Mr Toomey said those figures taken together with survey respondent comments showed climate change was taking a psychological toll on young people across Australia.
With equity and discrimination was identified as an important national issue by one third (35.4%) of young people. More than one third (34.2%) of those surveyed had been unfairly treated in the past year – which was higher than the 27.0% of young people who experienced unfair treatment in 2020. This treatment was most commonly due to their gender (37.3%) – with far more gender diverse young people, and more young females than males citing this. Other reasons for unfair treatment were mental health (27.6%), or due to race/cultural background (27.6%) which was endured by more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people than their non-Indigenous peers.
Health and wellbeing issues were also highlighted. Four in 10 (41.9%) of young people were extremely or very concerned about mental health and one third (34.6%) of young people felt mental health was an important national issue. Once again, young people’s top three areas of personal concern related to their mental health and wellbeing: coping with stress (46.0%), mental health (41.9%) and school or study problems (36.8%).
Encouragingly, the Youth Survey Report 2021 showed more than half of young people were very happy/happy (53.4%) overall with their lives and are very positive/positive (51.6%) about the future, although these figures have dwindled since 2020.
Mr Toomey said: ‘Our Youth Survey 2021 reveals cause for optimism in many respects, and that many young people are doing well while taking on 2021’s challenges.
‘But we know that more must be done to ensure young people have ample opportunities to access education, employment and services when they need them, particularly as we move toward pandemic recovery and a ‘COVID-normal’ existence. Regardless of a young person’s background, location or experience, access to appropriate support at the right time can be life changing.’
Survey results are shared with governments, non-government organisations, schools and the media to inform the debate around the circumstances of young people in Australia and to support the development of policies, services and programs that have the needs of young people at their core.