Young people ‘unable to cope with life’

One in 10 young people feel unable to cope with day-to-day life, The Prince’s Trust has warned.

Its fifth annual youth index finds that NEETs (young people not in employment, education or training) are more likely to feel unable to cope.

The report is based on interviews with more than 2,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 25.

More than one in five young people (22%) feel they do not have someone to talk about their problems with.

NEETs are less likely to have had someone to share their problems with.

The youth index gauges young people’s well-being across a range of areas, like family life and physical health.

While 27% of young people in work feel down or depressed “always” or “often”, this figure increases to almost half of NEETs (48%).

“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,” said Martina Milburn, chief executive of The Prince’s Trust.

“We know at The Prince’s Trust that it is often those from the most vulnerable backgrounds who end up furthest from the job market.

“Life can become a demoralizing 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.”