Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2024 closes on August 16, meaning now is the time for Victorian young people to use their voice and share their thoughts, personal concerns and what they see as important.
The annual Youth Survey collects responses from young people nationwide aged 15 to 19, with more than 6000 young people in Victoria taking part in 2023.
As the largest survey of its kind, the Youth Survey provides an invaluable insight into what young Australians are thinking and feeling.
The results are used to inform Mission Australia’s work and shared far and wide to support the development of policies, services and programs that have the needs of young people at their core.
Mission Australia State Director Victoria Jurek Stopczynski said the survey provided a rare look at the challenges facing young people.
“Young people may not always feel comfortable opening up and sharing their experiences,” Mr Stopczynski said.
“At Mission Australia, our teams work to support young people and provide a safe and welcoming space for them to work through any issues or challenges.”
“The results of the survey can help us tailor our services to better assist young people in need.”
The results of the survey are published in November and shared with schools, across the non-profit sector and with all levels of government to influence and inform policies, services and programs that support and affect young people.
“I encourage parents, schools, sporting and community groups to get behind the Youth Survey and give it a final push,” Mr Stopczynski said.
In 2023, more than 6000 young people in Victoria completed the survey, naming the environment (51 per cent), equity and discrimination (33 per cent), and the economy and financial matters (31 per cent) as the issues they believe are most important in Australia.
A quarter of Victorian respondents (25 per cent) said they were treated unfairly or discriminated against in the last year, most commonly due to their race/cultural background, physical appearance, and gender.
The survey includes questions on mental health and wellbeing, sources of support and community connections, housing and financial situation, climate change, and personal concerns such as body image, bullying, discrimination and stress. Young people are also asked to provide solutions to the personal issues they face.
Additional focus areas for 2024 are social media use, loneliness and opinions relating to alcohol and drugs.
Youth Survey 2024 will close on August 16.
To take part in the survey, go to www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey.
