Jobless youths more likely to feel depressed, says charity

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/02/children-depression

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More than one in four young people in work admits to feeling down or depressed always or often, with this figure rising to nearly half among their unemployed peers, according to a youth charity.

The Prince's Trust study on happiness found 27% in work reported feeling down or depressed always or often increasing to 48% among those who are not in employment, education or training (Neets).

The findings, based on interviews with 2,136 16- to 25-year-olds in the UK, showed one in 10 felt unable to cope with day-to-day life, with those classified as Neets twice as likely to feel this way as their peers.

The trust's fifth annual youth index gauged young people's happiness across areas such as family life, physical and mental health.

More than one in five, 22%, said they did not have someone to talk to about their problems while they were growing up, with Neets significantly less likely to have had a confidant.

Martina Milburn, chief executive of the trust, said: "A frightening number of unemployed young people feel unable to cope – and it is particularly tough for those who don't have a support network in place."We know at the Prince's Trust it is often those from the most vulnerable backgrounds who end up furthest from the job market. Life can become a demoralising downward spiral, from a challenging childhood into life as a jobless adult. But, with the right support, we can help get these lives on track."

The Royal Society of Public Health's chief executive, Richard Parish, said the recession has eroded young people's confidence and ambitions. "The youth index clearly shows a worrying discrepancy between young people who are in work and those who are not," he added.

"These unemployed young people need support to regain their self-worth and, ultimately, get them back in the workplace. With recent record-breaking youth unemployment, the work of charities like the Prince's Trust with vulnerable young people is more critical than ever."

The Prince's Trust, founded by the Prince of Wales in 1976, helps young people find work through personal development programmes and mentoring. The charity launched a programme offering extra help for people with mental health needs four years ago.