It's not easy being a young person today. Login or signup to continue reading The great social media experiment is shaping young brains in highly questionable ways. And the prospect for many of never being able to afford to buy your own home can't be a good thing for the mind.
The cost of living is also a big issue and the changing climate isn't exactly reassuring. Baby boomers gleefully spending the inheritance is another sucker punch for youngsters. Although, many would say, the boomers deserve to spend up and live large.
Earlier this month, Monash University released its 2024 Australian Youth Barometer. The survey of 620 young people found that more than one in five rated their mental health as poor or very poor Chris Gambian, of Australians for Mental Health, said: "This is no time for generation wars or 'back in our day' nonsense: youth mental health is in crisis" Of course, many young people will be successful and find a way to overcome the obstacles they face in society. A free mental health program for young people in Port Stephens, called "Jupiter - Space to Talk", is helping young people see this path.
It has helped more than 1300 young people in Port Stephens in five years. The service is cost-effective, but on the brink of closure due to a lack of funding. It has four counsellors and costs about $400,000 a year to run.
Geoffrey Basser, vice president of COPSY (Caring for our Port Stephens Youth), has been sending emails to state and federal governments seeking the.