The Ballarat Youth Council has identified mental health as one of the top issues affecting young people in Ballarat.
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This concern is in line with the thoughts of young people around Australia.
Mission Australia's Youth Survey found four in 10 Victorian young people identified mental health as the top issue in Australia in 2018.
Ballarat Youth Council member and year 11 Ballarat Clarendon College student Tadc Lee said most people he knew at schools in Ballarat had experienced mental health issues.
He said there was a lack of adequate mental health services for a diverse range of needs, particularly in regional areas.
I know a lot of people with mental health problems who have given up and decided to deal with it at home which has turned a lot of people my age into their friend's personal therapist.
- Tadc Lee, Ballarat Youth Council
"There is a big gap in the mental health system. If you have a severe mental health problem but are not in enough danger to be admitted to hospital, but Headspace and other health services can't handle the severity, it means there are no services for you to use.
"Even if you go into the private sector the waiting lists take months and months. I have been on one for a year.
"I know a lot of people with mental health problems who have given up and decided to deal with it at home which has turned a lot of people my age into their friend's personal therapist. It can make your social networks quite stressful."
Tadc is diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
He said his disorders made his experience in the mental health system even more stressful.
"A lot of therapists aren't equipped to deal with ADHD," he said.
"It makes it a whole lot worse because most therapists don't understand how my brain works. It makes it really stressful," he said.
Beyond Blue data shows more than 75 per cent of mental health problems occur before the age of 25.
One in seven young people aged 4 to 17 years experience a mental health condition in any given year.
A Ballarat Youth Council project is focused on the positive impacts of art on mental health. Members are working to organise a mental health art exhibition at event Spring in the Park to be held on November 10.
Meanwhile, a number of different youth council project groups are focused on other identified priority concerns for youth, including the environment and bullying.
Tadc is passionate about having a strong youth voice in Ballarat and nationwide, which is why he completed the 2019 Mission Australia Youth Survey.
Watch the 2018 Mission Australia Youth Survey results below.
Mission Australia is urging 15-19-year-old young people in Ballarat and across Australia to speak up on personal concerns and broader issues that are important to them by participating in the youth survey before it closes on August 9.
Mission Australia Victorian State Leader Michele Leonard said in a statement the youth survey gave organisations evidence to advocate on behalf of young people for the policy changes and programs they need.
"The views of Victorian young people are invaluable. The Youth Survey is an annual temperature check to find out what young people across the country are thinking, feeling and experiencing," she said.
Mental health, alcohol and drugs, and equity and discrimination were the top three issues for young people according to the Mission Australia survey in 2018.
This year's survey will ask new focus questions on bullying, disability and whether young people feel they have enough of a say about the issues that affect them.
Visit missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey to have your voice heard.
Call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for mental health support.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
