More than 28,000 young people aged 15 to 19, of which 588 live in the Illawarra, took part in Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2018. 

The top three issues of national significance according to young people living in the Illawarra were mental health (44.4 per cent), alcohol and drugs (26.8 per cent) and equity and discrimination (24 per cent). 

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The top four issues of personal concern for the Illawarra’s young people were coping with stress, school or study problems, mental health and body image (50.7 per cent, 38.6 per cent, 36.1 per cent and 33.6 per cent respectively). 

Mission Australia regional leader Brett Fahey said it was time to prioritise listening to young people’s clear concerns around mental health and take immediate action to ensure all young people have access to the right supports.

“It’s important that we acknowledge the robust efforts in the Illawarra, NSW, nationally and internationally that have increased public awareness about mental health and helped to reduce the stigma of mental health issues," Mr Fahey said. 

“As a priority, we must ensure that this increased awareness goes hand-in-hand with adequate access to the right help when needed.”

The survey shows that many young people in the Illawarra reported feeling confident in their ability to achieve their study or work goals after finishing school.

However, one in 10 Illawarra young people reported low levels of confidence.

The top plans for Illawarra young people after leaving school were go to university (68.7 per cent), get a job (31.5 per cent) or have a travel/gap year (28 per cent). 

A higher proportion of females (78.1 per cent) than males (55.7 per cent) from the Illawarra indicated they planned to go to university after school.

Young people were also asked whether they felt there were any barriers which may impact upon them moving out of home. Housing costs (77.9 per cent), financial stability (68.2 per cent) and availability of housing (50.6 per cent) were identified as top barriers in the Illawarra. 

Higher proportions of females from the Illawarra cited financial stability (76.2 per cent, compared with 55.1 per cent of males), security/safety (25.9 per cent, compared with 10.9 per cent), housing costs (e.g. rent, utilities, 83.5 per cent compared with 69.3 per cent of males) and availability of housing (53.2 per cent, compared with 45.4 per cent) as potential barriers to moving out of home in the future.

Four in ten young people in the Illawarra surveyed identified that they felt there were barriers to them finding work (41.6 per cent). 

The top three barriers that these young people identified as impacting upon them finding work were school responsibilities (23.7 per cent), lack of skills/experience (18.9 per cent) and lack of jobs (13.1 per cent). 

Compared with the rest of the state, higher proportions of young people from the Illawarra cited mental health (11.8 per cent compared with 7.7 per cent) and lack of skills/experience (18.9 per cent compared with 15.2 per cent) as barriers impacting on them finding work. 

“While this new data shows that many young people in the Illawarra are optimistic about achieving their post-school goals, we know that more must be done to address the barriers standing between young people and their aspirations," Mr Fahey said. 

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