Unemployed young people face ‘psychological scars’

Out of work young people could face a lifetime of poorer health and lower happiness, warns The Prince’s Trust.

The charity, which supports long-term unemployed young people, has released a report based on the largest poll of its kind, using interviews with more than 2,000 16-25 year olds.

Eleven per cent admitted unemployment drove them to drugs or alcohol abuse. Those not in employment, education or training (NEET) were also significantly less happy with their health, friendships and family life than those in work.

Leading economist Professor David Blanchflower warns young people risk “psychological scarring” the longer they are unemployed.

“Unemployment has a knock-on effect on a young person’s self-esteem, their emotional stability and overall wellbeing,” says Professor Blanchflower.

Fifteen per cent of young people across the UK feel their life lacks direction, and this figure soars to 42 per cent for those out of work. Some 32 per cent of unemployed young people admit to feeling down or depressed most of the time.

Martina Milburn, chief executive of The Prince’s Trust, says: “The implications of youth unemployment stretch beyond the dole queue. The emotional effects on young people are profound, long-term and can become irreversible. We must act now to prevent a lost generation of young people before it is too late.”

The findings come as The Prince’s Trust launches its “Undiscovered” campaign to highlight a generation of young people whose potential and prospects have become lost in the recession. The youth charity is urging Government, businesses and individuals to help it raise £1m a week to support schemes designed to help disadvantaged young people secure work.

Mrs Milburn explains: “Young people bore the brunt of the recession last year, with one in five 16-to-24-year-olds out of work today. The result is a generation of undiscovered skills and talents.”We must invest in these young people, re-building their self-esteem, to ensure that today’s unemployed do not become tomorrow’s unemployable.”