Australians for Mental Health is calling for the struggles of young Australians to be treated with more respect as yet another report reveals a growing mental health crisis. 

Released today by Monash University, the 2024 Australian Youth Barometer: Understanding Young People in Australia Today found that more than one in five young Australians rated their mental health as poor or very poor and a staggering 98% reported having at least one feeling of anxiety or pessimism in the past 12 months.  

“Today’s report is yet another reminder that young people in Australia are crying out for help with mental health” Australians for Mental Health Executive Director, Chris Gambian, said. 

“It is time to start listening to young Australians rather than judging them or dismissing them as weak.” 

“Mental health is not just a health issue - it permeates through, and is impacted by, every aspect of life – from housing stress, to work and food insecurity, and financial difficulties.” 

“Respecting the genuine life struggles of young Australians is the first step in finding a solution. This is no time for generation wars or ‘back in our day’ nonsense: youth mental health is in crisis” 

The report shows not only do young people continue to experience very high rates of mental ill health, a majority of them believe things are going to get worse in the future. 

The report shows more evidence of the growing youth mental health crisis with: 

• 21% of young Australians rate their mental health as poor or very poor 

• 98% of young Australians report having had at least one feeling of anxiety or pessimism in the past 12 months 

• 21% of young people receiving mental health support in the last year while 10% sought, but did not receive such support 

The report also showed too many young Australians report a lack of feeling that they belonged: 

• 13% said they either “never” or “rarely” had a sense of belonging when with their family 

• 20% said they either “never” or “rarely” had a sense of belonging when at work 

• 18% said they either “never” or “rarely” had a sense of belonging when at school or an education institution 

The figures echo data released last year by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing a growing mental health crisis in younger Australians with 38.8 percent of people aged 16–24 years reporting a 12-month mental disorder, an increase of nearly 50 percent from figures gathered in 2007. 

Media contact: Simon Black at [email protected], or on 0420 488 219. 

About Australians for Mental Health: 

Australians for Mental Health is a national grassroots campaign organisation made up of thousands of members from across Australia who work together to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes by: 

• Challenging the policies, laws, attitudes and behaviours that fuel mental harm at every level of government; and 

• Reshaping Australia as a place where mental health can thrive.