Results from Mission Australia's new Youth Survey Report 2021 has revealed that young people in Peel consider COVID-19 to be the most important issue facing them.
Australia's largest youth survey of 15 to 19 year olds found the top three issues of concern for young people in Peel were COVID-19 (42.5%), mental health (40.9%) and the environment (30.9%).
The 20th annual Youth Survey was conducted between April and August this year, with the report detailing the impact of the pandemic in terms of young people's challenges, concerns, experiences and barriers to achieving their goals.
The top three areas Peel young people identified as being negatively impacted by COVID-19 were education (61.7%), participation in activities (59.7%) and mental health (49.8%).
Mission Australia state director WA Jo Sadler said it was critical the community listened and acted on what young people were saying.
"Young people are telling us they're aware of and care about social and personal issues affecting themselves, their peers and their country," she said.
"Gender and racial discrimination very much exist in our country in the eyes and through the experiences of young people, and our youth survey tells us they want it brought out of the shadows and into the light.
"Listening to and acting on these crucial insights has always been vital and is now more pressing than ever as we round out our second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Young people can and should create and advise on solutions that will address issues that affect them, other young people and Australia.
"The Youth Survey is just one way of capturing the voices of young people, but they are telling us that they want to feel heard in political and decision-making processes."
Coping with stress (56.8%), mental health (50.7%) and school or study problems (42.0%) were the top three areas of personal concern for Peel young people - remaining consistent with results from across the state.
Appearance remains a point of angst with close to four in 10 (39.0%) Peel young people saying they were extremely or very concerned about body image.
Survey responses reveal the pandemic and associated public health responses had a negative effect on young people's health, wellbeing and education in 2021.
A notably higher proportion of Peel females said their mental health was negatively impacted by COVID-19 (64.8% compared with 29.4% of males).
"Without the right supports and policy setting in place, there is a real concern the pandemic will have long-term impacts on young people - who are tomorrow's workers, parents and carers," Ms Sadler said.
"Our Youth Survey 2021 reveals cause for optimism in many respects, and that many young people are doing well while taking on 2021's challenges.
"But we know that more must be done to ensure young people have ample opportunities to access education, employment and services when they need them, particularly as we move toward pandemic recovery and a 'COVID-normal' existence. Regardless of a young person's background, location or experience, access to appropriate support at the right time can be life changing.
"Young people have the answers. It's a matter of ensuring they are genuinely listened to, included in decision-making processes, and their concerns acted upon. It's the brightest way forward for us all."
The results of the Youth Survey are shared with governments, non-government organisations, schools and the media to inform the debate around the circumstances of young people in Australia and to support the development of policies, services and programs that have the needs of young people at their core.