When the findings from a 2022 survey by researchers at the University of Melbourne were published in May this year, it revealed a growing number of young people reporting poor mental health and uncertainty about the future, and left no doubt that many young Australians are finding it tough right now.
As part of the Life Patterns research project, the survey asked 1,243 Year 11 students from 39 schools across New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania questions about their health, wellbeing, outlook on the future and advice for politicians.
The result is Too young to vote but not too young to care: Year 11 students’ wellbeing and political voice, Youth Research Collective (YRC), Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, authored by Dr Quentin Maire, Ms Nadishka Weerasuriya and Associate Professor Jenny Chesters.
The Life Patterns research program is designed to follow patterns in people’s lives over time. It follows three cohorts of Australians – one that left secondary school in 1991; one that left secondary school in 2006; and one that will complete secondary school in 2023. Its aim is to gain a longitudinal and holistic understanding of the ways in which three generations of Australians respond to our rapidly evolving world.
Young urban Australians more mentally unhealthy
When this latest survey asked cohort three – the year 11 students (in 2022) who are due to complete their secondary schooling this year – about their mental health, 29 per cent of males and 44 per cent of females reported feeling unhealthy or very unhealthy.
Students living in cities were more likely to report feeling mentally unhealthy than their counterparts living in country towns or rural areas.
Young people feel ignored and excluded by politicians
Although the majority of students reported feeling optimistic about their own future, less than half felt that same optimism about Australia’s future, with only one-sixth reporting feelings of optimism for the future of the world.
The feeling that they are ignored by politicians and governing bodies and excluded from meaningful public debate was also a significant concern, with worries about action on climate change, and lack of mental health support dominating.
Similar findings from the 2020-21 National Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey with nearly four in 10 people aged 16-24 years reporting mental disorders, reinforced the Melbourne University results that highlighted the increased severity of mental health issues among Australian students.
Finding a positive way forward
Nurturing strong teacher-student relationships, and a culture of inclusion and belonging – both at school and and outside of school hours – can help students overcome feelings of social isolation and regain a sense of control.
Wondering if their voices are being heard and listened to was something of critical importance to the young people surveyed and, with respect to the future and climate change, according to the authors’ collective interpretation, this question becomes: Does anyone care enough about us to take action on climate change?
By asking politicians to demonstrate that they are listening and that they are taking action, young people can then feel more optimistic that the world has a positive future and that they are safe within that future.
If you or anyone you know needs help or support, please contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
