Young Territorians wanted for national survey

Mission Australia is calling on young Territorians to help highlight important issues in their lives by taking part in the charity’s 2013 Youth Survey – the nation’s largest annual stocktake of the views, concerns and values of young people between the ages of 15-19.

In launching the 2013 survey, Mission Australia’s Youth Services Manager, Adrian McCann, said it gave young people a voice across a range of issues with the information being used to help community groups and governments plan and develop youth services.

“Mission Australia’s annual national youth survey is a ‘temperature check’ on what young people are feeling, what issues concern them, what they think are the main challenges facing the nation and how optimistic they are about the future,” said Mr McCann.

“Responses to the survey help governments, youth agencies and ourselves improve and develop programs and strategies that are shaped by the voices of young people themselves.”

When asked what they thought was the biggest issue facing the nation, young Australians in last year’s survey overwhelmingly chose ‘the economy’.

Accompanying the increase in concern around financial matters was the number of comments – many by children as young as 15 – about the need to get a job and contribute financially to keep their family afloat.

The leading issues of personal concern to young people in 2012 were coping with stress, school or study problems and body image with 43 per cent of young women significantly concerned about the latter.

“The range of concerns – from financial matters to stress, family conflict and body image –suggest young people are facing increased challenges as they make the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

“We’ve also taken the opportunity to refresh the survey – now in its 12^th year – and make it more relevant than ever.

“In addition to the questions we’ve asked every survey, this year we’re also asking young Territorians about their future job aspirations, how much time they spend on the internet and their perceptions around local job opportunities,” said Mr McCann.

Mission Australia’s 2012 Youth Survey can be completed online: missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey

The survey closes on Friday, 28 June with the results to be published later this year.