A survey of young people in Australia has found Wagga's youth are increasingly struggling with managing stress and mental health.
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The nationwide Youth Survey Report 2020 conducted by Mission Australia released this week identified stress and mental health as a major concern for people in Wagga aged between 15 and 19.
Of the 181 survey respondents, a third said they felt stressed "either all of the time or most of the time".
An additional 40.8 per cent said that coping with stress was a top issue for them personally, while 31.1 per cent saw mental health as a defining issue.
When asked what the nation's concerns might be this year, 51.9 per cent of Wagga's respondents said COVID-19 was of the greatest worry.
Mental health registered concern from 35.7 per cent, while equity and discrimination was the third highest worry with 29.9 per cent of respondents answering such.
Mission Australia regional leader Daniel Strickland told The Daily Advertiser the fears were on par with the results registered from across the country, but with a slight increase in concern for equity and discrimination.
"It's comparative across the nation, [we're seeing] COVID having an affect on young people making them feel isolated," Mr Strickland said.
"It's a hot topic. We've heard some are fearful they've got COVID-19 or they're struggling with not being connected with their family and friends further afield."
This year was the 19th year of the survey, and the first time any specific results could be provided for the Wagga area, owing to an increase in this year's survey participants.
Across the nation, 25,800 young people took part.
"It's the first time we've been able to drill down and get that rich datat that is more specific than just looking at regional NSW," Mr Strickland said.
"We can now focus locally and have conversations locally in relation to young people and access to services."
During the worst of the COVID-19 induced lockdown measures, when disruptions were rampant in classrooms and workplaces across the nation, Mr Strickland said there was a visible increase to the needs of Wagga's youth.
For those seeking out-of-home help, the problem was compounded by Mission Australia's need to reduce accommodation services by half.
Usually, the Eastern Murrumbidgee Youth Service can provide for the short-term care of up to eight young people, with each sharing a room.
But, this year's regulations forced the service to maintain a four-person cap.
"We're definitely seeing an increase [in need] across Wagga and it's on par with the region, but it's concerning," Mr Strickland said.
"The important thing is to know that if people need assistance, we can support you. Look us up, get in touch and if it's something we can't help with, we'll link you with the right services."