Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2017 is open to people aged 15-19 year old. It gives them an opportunity to voice concerns, aspirations and values on a range of issues.

Last year, 7087 respondents from NSW were among about 22,000 participants nationwide who had their say. Mission Australia hopes for even more participation this year, to provide a broader overview of the issues that are important to the health, mental health and wellbeing of young people. The survey results will be released in December and will be used to advocate on behalf of young people.

The survey provides a valuable snapshot of young Australians and offers important insights that inform Mission Australia’s work and that of other community groups as well as government decision makers.

Mission Australia state director Ben Carblis said this year’s survey included additional special focus questions on homelessness and barriers to work. “It is so important to listen to the views of Australian young people. We check in every year to find out what’s really going on in their lives so that organisations like ours have access to current evidence and so we can advocate on their behalf for the services and broader policy changes that they need, and that are proven to work,” he said. 

“In NSW, we have many schools, community groups and community service organisations that take part in the Youth Survey every year. The more young people that participate, the more inclusive, insightful and representative of the broader youth community these results will be.”

In 2016, the top three issues identified in NSW as most important were alcohol and drugs, equity and discrimination with mental health entering the top three for the first time in the 15 year history of reporting. Young people continue to nominate coping with stress, school or study problems and body image as their top three issues of personal concern. 

Details: www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey. The survey closes on July 31.