Those impacts included struggling to meet the demands of school and work which have left many feeling concerned about achieving future goals.

headspace Day was celebrated in Port Macquarie-Hastings on October 21. And while the event was scaled back this year, it was an important way to connect with young people and provide them with advice on how small actions and changes to nurture their mental health can make a big difference.

The Glasshouse and Town Green will light up green on Wednesday and Thursday nights to acknowledge the importance of youth mental health issues.

"What we want our young people to do is take those small steps every day by doing something they love," headspace community engagement co-ordinator Julie Jamieson said.

"It could be something simple like going for a walk, listening to music - something simple in their daily routine that helps in this time of great uncertainty,"

headspace surveyed more than 3,500 young people who attended or received support from one of its centres across the country about the impacts of the health pandemic.

At an already critical transition period for development, many young people were also experiencing compounding trauma from recent natural disasters such as bushfires and floods, and due to COVID-19 the usual support structures at school and sport have been disrupted.

The headspace client impact report, Coping with COVID, found that 77 per cent reported a negative impact on their work, study, or financial situation. Further, 50 per cent reported that COVID-19 had impacted on their confidence.

Ninety per cent of young people, however, spoke to either family or friends to help them cope.

Eighty-two per cent of young people who reported talking to family as a way of coping indicated that this was a helpful strategy.

Sixty-nine per cent of young people indicated that they felt more empathy towards vulnerable people, and 51 per cent felt more compassionate or generous towards others.

Leigh Underwood is headspace Port Macquarie's new centre manager.

With a background in clinical psychology, Ms Underwood wants to ensure the staff at the centre are skilled and equipped with the latest knowledge and strategies to help young people across Port Macquarie-Hastings.

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