The Communities That Care (CTC) survey revealed some positive and negative results about Warrnambool youth’s health and well-being.
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“By far the best measure of behaviours and attitudes of youth is what they themselves say about what they get up to and how they feel,” CTC co-ordinator Cameron Price said.
“The survey identified a wide range of community strengths, such as the high level of opportunities for youth to get involved in prosocial activities that build their skills and commitment to the community.
“It also found problem areas that were significantly lower than national averages, such as smoking, using solvents to get high and levels of bullying.
“There were a number of risk factors significantly lower than national averages, such as lower levels of peer kudos from antisocial behaviour and a lower proportion of young people that had friends who took alcohol and drugs.”
Some problem areas include:
- One in every 45 year six pupils binge drank (five or more drinks in a single session) within the last fortnight.
- One in every 18 year eight students binge drank within the last fortnight.
- One in five year 10 students binge drank within the last fortnight.
- On average, for every year eight class of 25 students, eight have been bullied.
- Three in four year 10 students have a low commitment to school.
- Three in five year 10 students believe that laws and norms in the community support alcohol and drug use.
- Four in seven year 10 students have attitudes favourable to alcohol and drug use.
- Three in five year six pupils see opportunities for prosocial involvement in school; this is halved by year 10.
- Three in five year six pupils see rewards for prosocial involvement in schools; but only three in 16 year 10s see this.
Warrnambool’s biggest risk factor is low commitment to school.
“It was significantly lower than the national average,” Mr Price said. "We have very low high school attainment rates. If someone doesn't complete their schooling, it’s predictive of a higher chance of unemployment and poorer health outcomes.”
Mr Price said low school attainment also had an impact on regional economics.
“We have a high rate of unemployment and a skills shortage, so for the local economy to thrive into the future, we need young people to complete their education,” he said. “Our vision is that every child and young person who lives or attends school in Warrnambool has the environment, connections and opportunities to build physical, mental and social well-being.”
