Dubbo teens have the chance to shine the spotlight on their concerns as a major national effort is launched to provide a snapshot of their generation.
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Charity Mission Australia has opened its annual youth survey and is striving to reach a record 30,000 respondents.
In 2017 mental health emerged as the top concern nationally for the first time in the 16-year history of the report, which also reveals homelessness is an issue.
This year’s survey will ask new focus questions to delve deeper into issues around social media, alcohol and drugs, barriers to employment and how young people feel about their community.
Dubbo’s Mission Australia team is already reaching out to people aged 15 to 19 years to invite them to complete the survey.
The team this week participated in the Same-Same-Different Youth Celebration at Dubbo, providing an eight-metre mobile rock wall for the Youth Week event.
Team members also had the survey there for teens to share their thoughts and experiences.
Mission Australia coordinator Heidi Lew said the Youth Week event offered an opportunity to raise awareness of youth homelessness and the supports available to local young people.
“We find it concerning that one of Mission Australia’s youth surveys indicated one in seven young people are at risk of homelessness,” Ms Lew said.
“While we see some young people sleeping rough in the region, we also know that many are also couch-surfing because they believe they can’t return home.
While we see some young people sleeping rough... we also know that many are also couch-surfing because they believe they can’t return home.
- Mission Australia coordinator Heidi Lew
“Without the right local support, this can lead to long-term homelessness.”
With 7208 respondents in NSW out of a record number of 24,000 young people participating last year, Mission Australia hopes to reach more than 30,000 participants nationally by the survey’s July 31 closing date.
The survey is open to all young people living in Australia aged 15-19 years old. To take part, go to www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey.