Mission Australia’s Youth Survey, now in its 15^th year, revealed that more than half the region’s teens surveyed were ‘’extremely concerned‘’ about coping with stress, school and study. Two out of five indicated body image was a major concern.

When asked about the major issues affecting their peers across the country, the teens identified drugs and alcohol; discrimination and mental health as the biggest problems.

Mission Australia Illawarra and South Coast regional leader Brett Fahey said 22,000 15 to 19 year olds took part in the national survey, including hundreds from the local region.

‘’Young people have consistently identified drugs and alcohol and equity and discrimination as major issues of concern for other young Australians, but this year for the first time mental health has entered the top three concerns,’’ he said. 

‘’On a positive note, this may reflect that the education around mental health is getting out there. But it also shows us that we need to provide even more programs in schools to improve mental health, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking.

‘’Meantime, when asked about their personal concerns, young people also identified issues around mental health – such as stress and body image. Again this shows us that not only do we need to provide more services to address these issues – we need to make sure they’re available when they need them.’’

Mr Fahey said the annual survey gave youth ‘’a voice’’ and helped Mission tailor services – like the Triple Care Farm drug and alcohol rehabilitation program at Robertson – to their needs.

‘’It helps our existing services in the region and around Australia to be aware of how young people’s concerns are impacting on them, and influencing their behaviour,’’ he said. ‘’It allows us to advocate to state and federal governments for funding, and to partner with other services to meet the need.’’

The survey also revealed that young Australians were concerned about – and experiencing – discrimination.

In the Illawarra 40 per cent of girls – and 20 per cent of boys – surveyed said they had experienced discrimination due to gender, religion, mental health or race.

Depression, family conflict, bullying and personal safety were also of high concern to the region’s teens.

‘’We now need to respond to these things by having a targeted and co-ordinated approach where multiple services interact with each other,’’ Mr Fahey said.

‘’So young people don’t have to tell their stories over and over again to different organisations to get help.’’