Survey: Equity and discrimination named top issue in Toowoomba

A survey of Toowoomba teenagers revealed equity and discrimination were high on the list of issues plaguing our youngest community members.

As the impacts of COVID-19 become clearer in 2021, Mission Australia say it is even more important now, than ever, for young people to make their voices heard among the masses.

That makes Mission Australia’s Youth Survey for 2021 even more paramount this year.

The survey provides a platform for young people aged between 15 to 19 to have their say on critical issues in their community.

Toowoomba area manager Janet Maher said the survey would be celebrating two decades of providing a “vital platform” to the city’s younger population.

“Our Youth Survey is Australia’s pre-eminent survey of the views and sentiments of young Australians and is an important source of information frequently cited by organisations and governments, and often tapped into by families and individuals to develop a picture of what our young people are thinking and experiencing,” she said.

“It can guide us on how to best support young Australians as they transition into adulthood.

“We know from last year’s survey that young people have been feeling the brunt of the impacts of COVID-19 in terms of a range of issues including mental health, education and employment.

“Young people across Queensland, and our region, are still experiencing disruption to their lives while dealing with the stress of living through a pandemic.

“It’s more important than ever for young people to seize opportunities to have their say. Support and care for young people must be a top priority for our country’s long-term pandemic recovery plan.”

25,800 young people participated in the 19th annual Youth Survey in 2020, including more than 90 young people in Toowoomba.

The report provided invaluable evidence collected during the COVID-19 pandemic about young people’s biggest concerns.

In 2020, for the first time, equity and discrimination was named a top national issue for young people, increasing by more than 60 per cent since 2019.

In Toowoomba, 46 per cent of respondents said COVID-19 was an issue of national importance, close to 37 per cent of participants named mental health as a key national issue, and almost 28 per cent reported equity and discrimination.

Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2021 is open until August 9 to all young people aged 15-19 years-old living in Australia.

To take part in the survey, visit www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey.