Survey reveals one in ten young people feel they cannot cope
ONE in ten young people in Northern Ireland feel they ‘cannot cope with day to day life’ according to latest research.
Research conducted by The Prince’s Trust Youth Index indicates that young people not in education, employment or training were significantly more likely to feel unable to cope than their peers.
The Youth Index measures how young people feel about their lives today and how confident they are about their futures.
Respondents were asked how happy or unhappy they felt about different aspects of their life, from work, relationships and
money to physical and emotional health. They were also asked about how confident they felt about their future in these areas.
The results show that the overall index score this year is 71. This is a decrease from last year’s index of 73 and a return
to the lowest index figure since this study was launched.
More than 2,000 young people between 16 and 25 were interviewed across the UK.
The report details the extent of damage the recession has caused to young people’s attitude to work. More than one in four young people have been ‘permanently damaged’ by the recession. More than half (51 per cent) of young people surveyed said they feel disillusioned by the state of the current jobs market.
The report also indicated more than 16% of NI youth did not have someone to talk to about problems while growing up. Young people who did not grow up in a supportive family environment are twice as likely to not be in education, employment or training.
Ian Jeffers, regional director of The Prince’s Trust in Northern Ireland, said: “A frightening number of unemployed young people in Northern Ireland 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 that 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 across the region.”
Richard Parish, chief executive of the Royal Society of Public Health, said:“The Youth Index clearly shows a worrying discrepancy between young people who are in work and those who are not. These unemployed young people need support to re-gain 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.”
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Weather for Dungannon
Tuesday 18 June 2013
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