Jobless youths more likely to feel depressed, says charity

Prince's Trust charity discovers nearly half of young people not in work, education or training feel depressed

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."

- guardian.co.uk