Survey Of Victorian Students Uncovers Drug Use, Depression And Lack Of Teeth-Brushing

A survey of 6,000 Victorian students has revealed a number of fairly upsetting insights into teenage life.

Conducted by the Victorian Child and Adolescent Monitoring System – and shared by the ABC – the survey asked students in years 5, 8 and 11 from 264 schools all about their habits in a number of areas.

For instance, it found only 26 per cent of young Vics exercise for one hour a day. Also, only 11 per cent eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. (That number drops to 7 per cent when looking exclusively at Year 11 students.)

Grossly, 36 per cent don't brush their teeth twice a day. Lift your oral hygiene game, Victoria!

Though the above tidbits are not so surprising or overly worrying – spoiler alert: teens don’t love vegetables – there were a number of other concerning findings from the report.

It was found that the average age for teens losing their virginity is 15 (though, it should be noted, no one over the age of 17 was surveyed). Also, only 27 per cent use condoms while having sex.

Half of the Year 8 students surveyed had smoked a cigarette. That figure rose to 75 per cent amongst Year 11 students. Thirty-five per cent of Year 11 students have drunk alcohol and a quarter of the same cohort had used drugs.

It was also revealed that 45 per cent of students had been bullied recently. Twenty-three per cent of Year 11s have shown signs of depression, but only 42 per cent of all students believe they have access to mental health services. Another distressing finding: 20 per cent of those surveyed have gone to bed hungry “because there isn’t enough food in the house.”

You can find more results from the survey here.

Needless to say, these results are disturbing. Would they be echoed across the country? It’s hard to say. However, this snapshot into the lives of Victoria’s teenagers will hopefully convince those charged with educating and caring for young people that more action needs to be taken, and more support provided.

Support is available for anyone who may feel distressed. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

For more information on counselling and treatment plans you can contact your school’s health services as well as the following organisations and helplines:

Beyond Blue

Headspace