New national issue emerges as big worry for Australian teens over climate and mental health

Climate change and mental health have been eclipsed by a new issue that has Australia’s youth fearing now and for the future.

Cost of living has emerged as the number one national issue for young Australians, eclipsing climate change and mental health, Mission Australia’s latest survey has revealed.

Of the more than 17,400 Australians aged 15–19 who responded to the Youth Survey Report, 56 per cent said cost of living was one of their primary concerns.

This was more than double the number from two years ago.

“These 15–19 year olds are our future. Whatever happens with them today will impact the future. They need to be the centre of conversations,” said Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister.

Survey respondents voiced concerns about the impact cost of living has on both day-to-day expenses as well as their future prospects.

“It’s predicted to just get worse in the future and soon me and my friends will be living independently. We’ll have to support ourselves and (get) jobs, and that’s when it will start to really hit hard,” said 15 year old Evie Evans from Cairns, Queensland.

Evie Evans, 15, is concerned the cost of living will continue to get worse.

Cost of living was one of the chief concerns for young people across the country, named as a top three issue by at least 50 per cent of respondents in each state and territory.

Climate change was the next most pertinent issue, namechecked by 27 per cent of respondents.

Violence, safety and crime was a key concern for 25 per cent of those surveyed, while 23 per cent said mental health.

Ms Callister expressed disappointment but not surprise at the results.

Climate change was “still hugely significant” for young Australians, but “it’s very difficult to focus solely on that when you’re struggling to make ends meet,” she said.

At the age of 15-19, young people should be focusing on education and spending time with friends and family, Ms Callister said, “not worrying about the cost of living and whether they’re going to have enough food, whether their parents can pay rent, or where they’re going to find a home”.

Cost of living was one of the chief concerns for young people across the country, named as a top three issue by at least 50 per cent of respondents in each state and territory.

Ms Evans said there “aren’t many stories about how the cost of living crisis is getting better”.

“Young people are facing the issues themselves, and then they watch TV and hear about how prices are going up soon,” she said.

Associate Professor in Social Work at Sydney University Jioji Ravulo said hope is crucial for young Australians.

“If you don’t have the hope that there is going to be a happy, healthy future, then that can impact on your mental health,” he said.

AMP economist Shane Oliver provided some hope, saying: “The cost of living pressures will start to subside. We’re going in the right direction, but it could just be a bit more pain to get there.”

But the stress of not being able to afford things could leave young Australians feeling less confident and more cautious, he said.

Originally published as New national issue emerges as big worry for Australian teens over climate and mental health