Research suggests young people experienced higher rates of psychological distress in the early days of COVID-19. 

The initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic heightened some of the challenges faced by young Australians, with new evidence suggesting that, compared with older age groups, young people were hit by higher rates of psychological distress, job loss, and educational disruption during the pandemic.

The data comes from a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), which shows that experiences of severe psychological distress among young people aged 18 to 24 increased from 14 per cent in February 2017 to 22 per cent in April 2020, and of the 592,000 Australians who lost employment in April 2020, more than 1 in 3 (38 per cent) were aged 15 to 24.

“While data suggest some outcomes for young people have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, this is not always the case,” says AIHW spokesperson Sally Mills.

“For example, in April 2021 the average level of psychological distress among young people was below what it was in April 2020, but still higher than in February 2017. 

“Ongoing monitoring is needed to fully understand the longer-term impact of the pandemic,” said. 

The proportion of young people aged 15 to 24 not in education, employment or training rose from 8.7 per cent in May 2019 to 12 per cent in May 2020 following the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions. 

Since then, the proportion has fallen to 11 per cent in February 2021, a similar rate to February 2020 before the pandemic.

“Adolescence and young adulthood is a critical period in a person’s life. Young people often experience rapid physical, social and emotional changes in a time where they are transitioning from dependence to independence,” Ms Mills said.

“This is a time when young people are finishing school, pursuing further training and education, entering the workforce, moving out of the family home, and forming relationships.”