Mission Australia has released its 2020 Youth Survey findings. Schools can access the resource to enhance PDHPE teaching and learning programs and whole-school student wellbeing initiatives.
In its 19th year, the Mission Australia Youth Survey Report aims to provide unique insights into the experiences of young people aged 15-19 years across Australia. The survey of more than 25,000 respondents highlights young people's views related to strengths and challenges faced.
The 2020 survey showed most young people felt very happy with their lives overall with almost 60 per cent either feeling positive or very positive about the future.
Young people were also asked to comment on their biggest personal issue experienced in the past year, with the three most identified issues for young people being education, mental health and COVID-19.
The 2020 Mission Australia Youth Survey showed most young people felt very happy with their lives overall.
However, in 2020, the report reveals that young people have significant concerns related to equity and discrimination, COVID-19 and mental health, education and employment. In addition, coping with stress, school, mental health and body image are listed as respondents’ top three personal concerns.
Young people were also asked to comment on their biggest personal issue experienced in the past year, with the three most identified issues for young people being education, mental health and COVID-19.
The final report contains nine recommendations aimed at enhancing student wellbeing nationally. Additional support documents accompany the survey including comprehensive infographics, along with data specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those living in regional Australia.
The survey for 2020 showed most young people felt very happy with their lives overall with almost 60 per cent either feeling positive or very positive about the future.
The 2020 Mission Australia Youth Survey supports activities in PDHPE and student wellbeing.
Planning and programming for PDHPE and student wellbeing
Report findings and support materials continue to be valuable for schools when planning and programming evidence-based teaching and learning activities in PDHPE and initiatives in student wellbeing time.
This is important when considering the implementation of the NSW PDHPE K-10 Syllabus and the syllabus propositions, which include taking a strengths-based approach.
Contrary to a deficit approach (which focuses on what is missing or wrong), a strength-based approach identifies and acknowledges the internal resources students possess and how they might use these resources to move them towards greater safety, health and wellbeing while being supported by teachers, schools and families.
The survey report and infographics can also assist with the identification of student wellbeing scope and sequence focus areas. Schools may also find great value in drawing on the NSW results for their students when planning for wellbeing initiatives.
Schools participating in the (no-cost) survey receive a tailored report when more than 100 students are involved. Accessing a tailored report can validate internal school data and provide evidence for schools to allocate resources to enhance student wellbeing. Schools can register their interest for the 2021 Survey website here.
AISNSW supports schools in the use of research and evidence in PDHPE teaching and learning programs along with whole-school wellbeing approaches where collaboration between these two areas is essential to support student wellbeing outcomes.
For further information, please contact AISNSW Wellbeing and PDHPE Education Consultants.
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