Young people across the Border and North East are being urged to take part in Mission Australia's 2019 youth survey.
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Mental health, alcohol and drugs were the top three concerns identified by more than 28,000 young people in the 2018 survey.
Young people in NSW identified mental health as the top national issue at a higher rate than any other state or territory last year with 45 per cent of respondents listing it as the most important concern.
Alcohol and drugs (26.1 per cent) and equity and discrimination (22.2 per cent) were the other critical issues for those youth.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 19 years are now being encouraged to have their say this year, to celebrate the 18th birthday of Mission Australia's annual survey.
This year focus questions will seek to better understand young people's thoughts around bullying, disability and whether young people feel they have enough of a say about the issues that affect them.
Mission Australia state director Nada Nasser said each year the survey offered an important temperature check on the thoughts, concerns and aspirations of young Australians.
"Thanks to the survey, many organisations like Mission Australia have access to current evidence on what young people are thinking and experiencing, which helps us to advocate with them and for them for the services and policy changes that they need," Ms Nasser said.
"To celebrate our youth survey's 18th birthday, we're encouraging even more young people to share their voice either online, at school or through a local community group.
"We're hoping to see more high schools, sporting teams, community youth groups, church groups and community service organisations urge young people to get involved this year."
Ms Nasser said the organisation truly valued the voices of young people "and they must be heard".
"The more young people we have participate, the more comprehensive and inclusive the results will be," she said.
The fact young people are again identifying mental health as their number one area of concern is reflected in national data from other youth-focused organisations such as headspace.
Worryingly, Mission Australia reported that the number of young people who listed mental health as a critical issue had more than doubled since 2016.
- The 2019 survey is open to all youth aged 15-19 living in Australia. Click here to take part in the survey
- The youth survey closes July 31, 2019 with results to be released in late November.