Those out of work have poorer health and tenser relationships

The Prince’s Trust YouGov Youth Index reveals that those out of work have poorer health and tenser relationships with friends and family than those who have jobs.

According to the findings, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) feel anxious all or most of the time with more than a fifth (22 per cent) feeling down or depressed all or most of the time.

More than one in ten (13 per cent) thought their life lacked direction and nearly one in ten (nine per cent) felt isolated all or most of the time.

The research was based on interviews with 2,088 16 to 25- year-olds from across the UK, including 99 from the North- East.

It suggests that unemployed young people are twice as likely to feel down or depressed than those in work.

Leading economist Professor David Blanchflower says in the report that unemployment has a knock-on effect on a young person’s self-esteem, their emotional stability and overall wellbeing.

“The longer the period a young person is unemployed for, the more likely they are to experience this psychological scarring,” he says.

“This means an unhappy and debilitated generation of young people who, as a result, becomes decreasingly likely to find work in the future.”

More than one in four young adults surveyed (28 per cent) say that unemployment caused them to exercise less, with about one in six of those out of work (17 per cent) getting no exercise at all.

One in ten young people (11 per cent) said unemployment had driven them to drugs or alcohol.

The research comes as the charity announces its Undiscovered campaign, which is calling for Government, businesses and individuals to help the charity raise £1m a week to support unemployed and disadvantaged young people.

David Beavis, regional director for The Prince’s Trust in the North-East, said the implications of youth unemployment stretched beyond the dole queue.

“The emotional effects on young people are profound, long-term and can become irreversible,”

he said. “We must act now to prevent a lost generation of young people before it is too late.”

CASE STUDY ONE: Saved by work of Prince’s Trust

DANIEL ABBOT, from Billingham, near Stockton, completed a five-year IT course at the age of 21, but lost his self esteem when he struggled to find work.

When his mother became seriously ill, he spent three months at her bedside before she died of multiple organ failure. His younger brother went into care and his sister went to live with a cousin.

He said: “With the exception of my granddad, I had lost my family, I had no job and, as far as I was concerned, I had no prospects.

“I thought about ending it all and committing suicide.”

After 18 months of unemployment, Daniel was on the internet, looking up his favourite football team when he saw The Prince’s Trust logo.

He was offered a place on its 12-week Team Programme, which involves team building and community projects.

While on the course he applied for a job as a customer services assistant at a large energy company and was later offered the position.

Now 24, he has been employed for 18 months and was recently promoted.

He said he would not be here today if it wasn’t for The Prince’s Trust.

“I would have been 6ft under by now, no doubt about it,” he said.

“I would have drunk myself to death.”

CASE STUDY TWO: Making a difference to the lives of others

LEE HEKE, 25, from Eston, near Middlesbrough, became depressed after his brother died of an overdose five years ago.

He took time off from his job in a call centre, and eventually was sacked.

He would sleep until 3pm most days before spending time smoking and drinking heavily with friends.

He said: “I just couldn’t be bothered any more.

“I didn’t know what I was doing with my life and got stuck in a rut for two years.”

Lee’s mother suggested he become involved with The Prince’s Trust, and he ended up raising funds to go on a three-week trip to Romania to help in an orphanage.

When he returned he completed a Youth Steps Programme and gained an NVQ in youth work.

He now has a job as a youth support worker.

Lee has been employed as a French teacher in local primary schools, and is also a young ambassador for The Prince’s Trust.

He said: “I don’t judge young people because of how they look or what they have or haven’t done.

“Many of them can relate to me because of what I have been through.

“I just feel so good about having a job which makes a difference to young people’s lives.”