Carey Middle and Senior School students continue to participate in a number of important national studies, including the Mission Australia Youth Survey (MAYS) and the Resilient Youth Survey (RYS).
The MAYS, now in its 23rd year, saw more than 17,400 Australians aged 15 to 19 participate in last year’s survey, providing a longitudinal view of the issues that matter the most to our young people. By listening to their voices and addressing their concerns, we can create a more understanding and supportive environment for our young people to flourish.
Across the country, the 2024 survey results showed that cost of living; climate change and the environment; violence, safety and crime; and mental health were the highest rated concerns for our youth.
The MAYS data for Carey students revealed that they have shown an improved mental health outlook, with decreased levels of psychological distress. Fewer students reported barriers to achieving their work and study goals, and those citing mental health as a barrier have significantly decreased. Additionally, our students feel more in control of their lives, are less lonely, and are more optimistic about their future compared to their peers. These positive trends highlight the resilience and optimism of our student body and reflect our ongoing investment and focus on supporting student wellbeing.
The RYS, run in collaboration between the University of Adelaide and Resilient Youth Australia, looks at the self-reported resilience, wellbeing and mental health of our young people, and is available to those aged seven to 18. The 2024 survey saw over 149,000 responses across the country.
The 2025 survey is currently underway, and so far we can see that, in comparison to their peers across Australia, Carey’s Years 7 to 12 students report that they are more hopeful, less depressed, more able to problem solve, and they experience better overall life satisfaction.
Of particular note is our Year 11 students who took part in Carey Zero last year are significantly less anxious than their peers across the country.
The Year 10 Carey Zero program focusses on building resilience, positive coping strategies and mindfulness techniques, while encouraging students to bond more deeply with their peers and mentors, connect with their communities and learn from and appreciate their natural environment. We are pleased to see the impact of this program reflect positively in these national survey results, as we have already seen it in person at school.
