Just as the NSW Parliament is conducting hearings into loneliness, Youth Action has released a new representative poll of 1000 young people aged 15-24 across NSW, with 87% of young people stating that loneliness was a major issue for them and their peers.
When asked what the solutions to the problem of loneliness were, 85% of young people wanted more investment in safe and inclusive spaces with activities and services for young people. The next most supported solutions by young people were greater access to mental health supports; and government & communities supports.
When asked what makes young people feel included in the community, consistent with their other responses, ‘safe spaces for young people to connect with others’ was at 71%, ‘opportunities for young people to have their voice heard’ 64% and ‘opportunities for young people to build their capacity to participate in their community and in decision-making processes’ 64%.
Youth Action, in its submission to Parliament, is calling for a tripling to funding to early intervention programs in the youth space, greater investment in youth hubs and for the Government to immediately invest in the establishment of 5 new youth hubs, with 2 new hubs in regional NSW and give further support to an additional 10 existing youth hubs, with 4 of those current hubs being in regional areas.
Sitting alongside this poll, Youth Action, has been reaching out to the youth sector to determine their views and experiences of the problem. The youth sector stressed the importance of young people having access to safe and inclusive spaces, that is “youth hubs”. Further, they are calling for more support for young people responding to challenges such as family violence, bullying, mental health, income disadvantage and challenges maintaining engagement in education.
youthaction.org.au 