Youth survey highlights study stress
Academic pressure is a key concern for Mosman youth, according to early results from Mosman Council Youth Services’ youth consultation project. The number one pressure was closely followed by body image then alcohol, which also played on the minds of youth, along with drugs, smoking and peer pressure.
More than 200 young people participated in an online survey, more than 30 were interviewed and six focus groups discussed these key issues and their driving factors for the consultation, which occurs every three years.
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said the results, which aim to find out what matters most to young people and what they believe could be done to improve the overall wellbeing of Mosman’s youth community, confirmed that Council’s Youth Services were already providing the right support for young people.
“The results are in line with our planning and service delivery, such as the recent Market for Your Mind event which focussed on fun and engaging ways to manage study stress and getting outdoors to increase mental wellbeing,” Cr Corrigan said.
Dealing with study stress was particularly relevant for some students who’d just sat their first HSC exam when they attended the Festival of Mosman event which also coincided with Mental Health Month. Year 12 student Niyati described Market for Your Mind as a “fabulous way for young people to wind down after exams” while Year 10 student Mia said she’d like to “see events like this more often”.
Cr Corrigan said feedback from the consultation project and Market for Your Mind would be reviewed.
“The Youth Services team will now analyse the issues and potential action points from suggested solutions from young people, which included increasing support networks, building resilience, stepping up education and online marketing campaigns and encouraging a sense of belonging,” she said.
Young people were also involved in running the consultation project with several keen youth researchers playing a key role in peer interviews and others involved in the online marketing of the consultation project. Visit mosmanyouth.com.au or contact Mosman Council Youth Services on youth@mosman.nsw.gov.au for more information.