June 23, 2025
The report found that for young people aged 18 to 24, cost of living stress is now the number one concern affecting their mental wellbeing. This includes worrying about day-to-day essentials like rent, groceries, bills, and transport - as well as the cost of accessing professional mental health support.
These financial pressures aren’t happening in isolation. The same research highlights that many young people are also experiencing deep feelings of loneliness and disconnection - not just being alone, but feeling unsupported and emotionally isolated from others.
Together, these pressures create a complex emotional load that can feel overwhelming, and is taking a toll on young people across Australia.
One of those young people is Eliza, who shared:
"Cost is always the first factor I consider when thinking about seeking professional mental health care. Unfortunately, the reality of being a young person in Australia at the moment is weighing up whether you need to save money for your day-to-day living expenses, and other needs like mental health care. Having to prioritise it among my other competing needs still stops me from seeking help earlier, rather than later. For the majority of my friends and loved ones, and many people my age, affording mental health care is completely off the table.”
The research also found that 1 in 4 young Australians aged 18–24 reported experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours in the past 12 months - the highest of any age group.
It’s a confronting statistic that paints a clear picture: many young people are struggling, and they need support that’s affordable, accessible and early, before crisis point.
But the report also shows a hopeful trend: young people are reaching out more than ever. Nearly half of 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed said they had accessed services like Lifeline, community programs or suicide prevention supports - a record high.
At batyr, we know that young people want to talk about mental health - and they do, when given the space and tools to do so. Our programs and workshops are designed to meet them where they’re at - in schools, universities and online - using lived experience storytelling to normalise conversations, reduce stigma, and build confidence to reach out.
“I think it's human nature to want to turn away from others when we're struggling but it's so important to do the opposite and to reach out instead. There are so many instances where a friend or family member will actually be able to relate to how you're feeling.” said batyr storyteller, Taylor.
We’re proud to be contributing to this rise in help-seeking behaviour by empowering young people with the skills, language and support networks they need to ask for help, earlier, and more often.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis and is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 000. You can find a comprehensive list of mental health support services here.
batyr is available for comment for all stories based around youth mental health - get in touch with us at [email protected].