Speaking an Indigenous language linked to youth wellbeing

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in remote areas who speak an
Indigenous language are less likely to experience risk factors associated with
poor wellbeing, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS).

The report found that in 2008, almost half (47%) of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (aged 15–24 years) in remote areas
spoke an Indigenous language. These young people were less likely to engage in
high risk alcohol consumption and illicit substance use, than those who did not
speak an Indigenous language. They were also less likely to report being a
victim of physical violence.

However, the report also showed that there
has been a decline in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
youth who can speak an Indigenous language. In 2008, 13% of all Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander youth could speak an Indigenous language, down from 18%
in 2002.

Despite this decrease in Indigenous language skills, 21% of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 3–14 years who did not speak
an Indigenous language at home were learning one. About one in three (31%)
children aged 3–14 years also spent time with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander elder at least once a week.

In addition, the report found that
youth who had been discriminated against because of their Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander origins were less likely to have some characteristics
associated with positive wellbeing.

In 2008, one-quarter (26%) of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth reported having experienced
discrimination in the past 12 months because of their origins. These youth were
less likely to be employed, studying full-time or able to get support outside of
their households than those who had not experienced discrimination. They were
also more likely to have experienced high or very high levels of psychological
distress compared with their peers who did not experience
discrimination.

More details on these and other topics are available in
the April release of the report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Wellbeing: A focus on children and youth (cat.no. 4725.0). Additional
analyses of the children and youth data will be available later in 2011.