ABOUT BEING RECOGNISED AND INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL RESPONSE:
Over two fifths of young people feel that there has been little recognition that many of them are either on the frontline as workers or have borne the brunt of the economic downturn through the job losses that have hit multiple sectors and industries.
Two in five also believe that many of the discussions about children and young people (for instance, around school closures) are more about the impact on parents and carers and believe they should be included as a primary consideration.
- “I think what's being overlooked is that we're also adjusting to a global pandemic… it's sort of hard to recognise that we're in a history event that people are going to be learning about in school in 50 years' time. So it's kind of crazy to think that the media is only focusing on teenagers as kids that are in school, and not the fact that we're actually kids and we're missing out on things and that our mental health is suffering.” - Female student, regional NSW.
- “I work at Bunnings and it's so hectic it's busier than it’s ever been - than we are at Christmas or anything like that …. I had to stand on the door for 10 hours and tell people you know I have to count each one and everyone's just getting mad at you, they're like getting angry, swearing and stuff like that and I just think the whole mental health of it all. I feel like people are going to have to learn how to be nice to each other when we get out of this… It's not all about me, me, me.” - Female student, regional NSW.
- “In terms of decisions, like should we be in schools and stuff like that, I feel the onus hasn't really been on the students, but rather the teachers and specialists who know I guess what's best for us. And I guess there really hasn't been much opportunity for young people to make decisions on the matter. But I don't see how that could be different. I think the only thing that could be done is just hearing like [conversations like this]… so they are seeing how people are feeling, and also observing behaviours.” - Male student, Perth WA.