Resilient Youth: State of the Nation Report 2023 finds many Aussie kids are depressed, anxious

The lockdowns might be over but too many Aussie kids and teens are now struggling more than ever according to new research.

Australian boys and girls are more depressed and anxious, and less hopeful, than they were during the Covid-19 pandemic, a new survey has revealed.

But South Australian school students are learning the life skills they need to bounce back.

Each year about 140,000 students around the country, in Years 3 to 12, take part in the national Resilience Survey.

The latest results, published by the University of Adelaide, show that the proportion of primary school pupils who reported “high” levels of depression or anxiety symptoms was greater in 2023 than in 2021.

Among secondary students the rates stayed steady or slightly improved.

Worryingly, fewer students of all ages had high levels of hopefulness than in 2021.

The Resilient Youth: State of the Nation Report 2023 also found:

A QUARTER of teenage girls felt they were “struggling” in life.

ABOUT 16 per cent of teens rarely got at least eight hours of sleep a night.

ALMOST one in five primary school students rarely read books for fun.

ALMOST one in five year 7 to 12 students reported drinking alcohol “often or always” and 16 per cent reported vaping at those levels.

RATES of depression, anxiety, hopelessness and drug use were much higher among gender diverse young people.

University of Adelaide Wellbeing in Learning and Development (WiLD) laboratory lead Mark Kohler said the findings showed there had been “for the most part” no improvement in young people’s mental health since the stressful time following the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.

“It’s clearly not just a simple matter of coming out of covid or things going back to normal,” Dr Kohler said.

“When it comes to the wellbeing of our youth, the data doesn’t paint a pretty picture.”

The report recommends investment in school programs which build social and emotional skills in young people.

Education Minister Blair Boyer has made student wellbeing a priority. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

The SA government and Education Department have included wellbeing as one of four “areas of impact” in the state’s public education strategy.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the government had committed $50m for mental health workers in 65 schools and implemented a positive behaviour for learning framework at 41 sites.

Life Education SA and Encounter Youth have also received $2.6m to run vaping, drug and alcohol education and prevention programs.

“The wellbeing of our students is something, as minister, I feel very strongly about and something that must have as much importance as academic learning,” Mr Boyer said.

‘Resilient’ Seaview Downs students bucking the trend

Every morning the students at Seaview Downs Primary School answer the roll call not just with the standard “here” or “present”, but by telling their teacher and classmates how they’re feeling.

It is just one of the measures the southern suburbs school takes to build emotional intelligence and wellbeing among its 330-odd pupils.

Seaview Downs Primary School year 6 students Indiana Savige and Leo McGee, with Student Wellbeing Leader Chris Crabb in the school’s wellbeing room. Picture: Brenton Edwards

There is also a wellbeing room where any student can take time out to breathe, listen to music or use sensory toys if they are feeling “out of balance”, said student wellbeing leader Chris Crabb.

Seaview Downs primary students took part in the national survey which informs the annual Resilient Youth: State of the Nation report.

And the campus is among more than 1000 Australian schools involved in The Resilience Project, founded by Melbourne-based author, podcaster and former teacher Hugh van Cuylenburg.

It encourages a focus on gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and emotional literacy.

“Children can’t be heard if they haven’t got the words ... to actually express how they’re feeling,” Mr Crabb said.

“We don’t have to be happy all the time ... but it gives them a foundation to understand why they feel a certain way.”

The project encourages children to spark discussions at home, such as asking their family about their “three favourite things from today”, Mr Crabb said.

Year 6 students Indiana Savige and Leo McGee both named time with family and friends, and being active as things that helped their wellbeing.

The 11-year-olds felt most of their friends had a positive mindset but knew they could talk to each other about any worries.

Last year Indiana faced an emotional challenge when her family dog Sunny died, but she drew upon lessons learned at school.

“I felt sad. She was with me my entire life,” she said.

“Losing someone, or something, you love is really hard but you just remember that there’s something else good around the corner.”

Originally published as Resilient Youth: State of the Nation Report 2023 finds many Aussie kids are depressed, anxious