Mission Australia’s 2013
National Youth Survey has found one in seven Territory teens don’t intend to
complete year twelve.
The alarming figure is
more than three times the national average and coupled with the finding that less
than two-thirds of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their school
studies.
The Youth Survey, which
is the country’s biggest annual stocktake on the views of young people, was
completed by 109 Territorians aged between 15 and 19 years.
When asked to nominate the
most important issues for Australia, young people in the NT rated alcohol and
drugs at the top of the list for the second year in a row.
In a new concerning
trend, mental health jumped from eighth spot in 2012 to second among young
Territorians.
The top three personal
concerns for young people in the NT continued to be school or study problems, coping
with stress, and body image.
Other survey highlights include:
·
Around
1 in 5 young people in the NT indicated their family’s ability to get along was
poor – more than twice the national average
·
Almost
one in five young people in the NT were negative or very negative in their
outlook for the future (compared to 8 per cent nationally)
·
More
than one third of young people in the NT aged 15-19 are currently looking for
work (including part-time/casual)
·
Only
35 per cent of young people in the NT plan to go to university (compared with 65
per cent nationally)
·
The
internet is the number one source of information for young people in the NT,
with 40 per cent of respondents spending at least 20 hours a week on social
networking sites
Mission Australia’s 12th
national Youth Survey not only asked young people about their personal and
national concerns, it also surveyed what young people value, who they turn to
for advice, what activities they engage in, their views on employment and how
they feel about the future.
Sue Kendrick said the
fact almost 15 per cent of young people surveyed in the NT said they didn’t
intend to complete year twelve – more than three times the national average –
is a serious concern, coupled with the low rate of young people planning to go
on to university, TAFE or college.
“We need greater
investment in youth education, training and employment, particularly in
communities where there is entrenched disadvantage,” Ms Kendrick said.
“There are significant
economic and social benefits that flow over many years from improving the participation
of young people.
“Encouraging our young people
to not only complete their schooling, but also to pursue higher education and
training will be crucial to meeting their career needs as well as the needs of our
future workforce.”
Ms Kendrick said it was
also concerning that young people in the NT are becoming increasingly concerned
about mental health issues.
“When asked how positive
they felt about the future, almost one in five respondents in the NT was
negative or very negative in their outlook - this compares to 8 per cent
nationally,” she said.
“We need to ensure that
young adults in the NT have the support they need, so they can look to the
future with confidence and do not fall through the cracks while trying to make
the journey from adolescence into adulthood.
“If we take this
opportunity to listen to their voices and act on their concerns, we can provide
hope for the future of our state and the next generation of NT youth who will
lead it.”
Mission
Australia is a leading community organisation, focused on standing together
with Australians in need, until they can stand for themselves. We want to
support our young people to gain independence and lead productive, fulfilling
lives.
