Young People's Health in the Spotlight
MEDIA RELEASE
8 December 2008
The Mental Health Foundation welcomes the results of Youth'07 - the second survey of young people's health issues in New Zealand. The research released today shows improvements in some aspects of young people's lives since the first such survey in 2001, but also highlights areas of significant concern.
"We are delighted that young people are saying they're generally happier about their lives, and that there has been a reduction in the number of teenagers experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviours," says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation.
"But the survey raises major concerns, in particular the large number of young people coping with poverty and violence," she says. "It's essential that everyone working with young people - from government ministries to health providers and communities - stays firmly focused on these issues and that the findings are used to continue improving the health and wellbeing of our youth."
The Youth2000 surveys, conducted by the Adolescent Health Research Group at the University of Auckland, aim to develop a comprehensive picture of health issues for young people. In this years' survey, nearly 9,500 secondary students from across the country told researchers about their lives from their own perspectives.
Compared with 2001, young people tended to be happier about their lives with 92% reporting they were OK or very happy with their lives in 2007 versus 86% in 2001. Fewer students reported significant depressive symptoms (10.6% versus 12.4%) and fewer students had attempted suicide in the last year (4.7% versus 7.8%).
Of major concern was that in 2007, between 10% and 20% of students were in families facing significant adversity due to economic hardship. Many students (41%) also reported being hit or physically harmed in the last year, and there was an increase from 2001 in the number of students who witnessed physical violence between adults in their homes (10% versus 6%).
Media enquiries
Pauline Curtis
Communications Officer
Mental Health Foundation of Naw Zealand
(09) 966 5725
021 918 200
