New data from youth mental health service, ReachOut, shows that the cost of living is contributing to high levels of study stress for students across the country, and that this cohort of digital natives are finding relief online.
In a survey of over 1000 young people from across Australia (conducted July 2024), almost a quarter (23%), indicated that a driver of study stress was worry about balancing study with work given the high cost of living. Other cost of living related study stress concerns for young people included worry about getting a job (31%) and worry about not being able to lead the life they had planned (26%).
17 per cent of young people surveyed indicated that study stress had a major impact on their wellbeing or their mental health over the past 12 months. Concerningly, more than a quarter (26%) of young people surveyed were so stressed about study and exams that they had to take time off work or study, which may also impact their income.
Amidst high levels of study stress, the digital space stood out as a key source of support for young people. After friends and family, social media was the third most popular place young people sought support for their study stress concerns (26%).
Young people are also going online to help them cope with study stress. This included: listening to music (50%), watching TV and movies (42%), spending time on social media (40%), watching online videos (36%) and gaming (21%). Two thirds (67%) of students who turned to these kinds of online sources to cope with study stress said the content was a distraction or something that provided them with a break.
CEO of ReachOut, Gary Groves, said that it was important to understand the drivers of study stress and highlighted ReachOut’s new support for students in the lead up to Year 12 exams.
“ReachOut’s research on study stress is an important reminder that young people are not immune to cost of living pressures. The data shows that students are concerned about balancing work and study, their future work opportunities and their future lifestyles.
“As students across the country embark on their final preparations for Year 12 exams we are encouraging them to take a proactive approach to their mental health and to seek support if they need it. As this new data shows, seeking support and coping with feelings of stress will look different for everyone and going online can be a great place to start.
“This year, ReachOut is providing additional support for young people when it comes to study stress. We have an AI-driven tool, which allows young people to express their mental health needs in their own words and which then simplifies pathways to support. And, we have expanded access to ReachOut’s one-to-one online text-based chat support service PeerChat to include 16 and 17 year olds during this period when we know study stress is a particular concern for so many students,” he said.
Young people can visit ReachOut.com for new and updated content on exam and study stress, to access ReachOut’s AI-tool and to connect with peer support via the Online Community and PeerChat.
Parents and carers can visit ReachOut.com/Parents for new and updated content about supporting teens when it comes to study and exam stress and a free parents coaching service.
ENDS
Media contact
Tessa Anderssen - tessa@reachout.com / 0411 708 587
Support links
For students
For parents and carers
For educators and schools
Social media links
Key Facts:
Results from a survey of over 1000 young people (aged 16 - 25) from across Australia, conducted July 2024.
- 17% of young people surveyed indicated that study stress had a major impact on their wellbeing or their mental health over the past 12 months.
- Cost of living related drivers of study stress:
- worry about getting a job (31%)
- worry about not being able to lead the life they had planned (26%)
- worry about balancing study with work due to the high cost of living (23%)
- Mental health and wellbeing impacts of study stress on the young people surveyed included:
- lack of motivation (61%)
- trouble sleeping (45%)
- changes to mood (40%)
- took time off work or study (26%)
- To cope with study stress, young people turned online to things like:
- Listening to music (50%)
- watching TV and movies (42%)
- spending time on social media (40%)
- watching online videos (36%)
- gaming (21%)
- When it comes to seeking support for study stress young people are turning to:
- friends (52%)
- parents and carers (36%)
- social media (26%)
- a mental health professional, an in-person mental health service or a digital mental health service for support for study stress (25%)
About us:
About ReachOut
ReachOut is the leading online mental health service in Australia supporting young people during tough times.
ReachOut helps young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they’re facing. They provide a safe place where young people can openly express themselves, explore what’s happening in their lives, connect with people who understand their situation, and find the resources to help them manage their challenges now and in the future.
Anonymous, free and 100% online, ReachOut has been designed specifically for – and with – young people. From one-to-one support from experienced peer workers, to online forums, as well as tips, stories and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to, and has been doing so for more than 20 years.
And, ReachOut Parents and ReachOut Schools provide valuable information, resources and advice to help parents, carers and educators to better understand the young people in their lives and to play an active role in their wellbeing.
Safe Reporting
ReachOut encourages safe reporting about mental ill-health and suicide according to the Mindframe guidelines.
Contact details:
Tessa Anderssen, Senior Media Manager - ReachOut
tessa@reachout.com / 0411 708 587
