Young people 'feel they have nothing to live for'

[Jazzy]

As many as three quarters of a million young people in the UK may feel that they have nothing to live for, a study for the Prince's Trust charity claims.

The trust says almost a third of long-term unemployed young people have contemplated taking their own lives.

The Prince's Trust Macquarie Youth Index was based on interviews with 2,161 16 to 25-year-olds. Of these, 281 were classified as Neet (not in employment, education or training) and 166 of these Neets had been unemployed for over six months.

The report found 9% of all respondents agreed with the statement: "I have nothing to live for" and said if 9% of all youngsters felt the same, it would equate to some 751,230 young people feeling they had nothing to live for.

Among those respondents classified as Neet, the percentage of those agreeing with the statement rose to 21%.

The research found that long-term unemployed young people were more than twice as likely as their peers to have been prescribed anti-depressants.

One in three (32%) had contemplated suicide, while one in four (24%) had self-harmed.

The report found 40% of jobless young people had faced symptoms of mental illness, including suicidal thoughts, feelings of self-loathing and panic attacks, as a direct result of unemployment.

Three quarters of long-term unemployed young people (72%) did not have someone to confide in, the study found.

Martina Milburn, chief executive of the Prince's Trust, said: "Unemployment is proven to cause devastating, long-lasting mental health problems among young people.

Full article

If you are or have been long-term unemployed, have you ever felt any of these symptoms mentioned in this article?

 

[Raven]

Yes i have but not for reasons of being unemployed.
I have attempted suicide in the past but would never do that again
I have also self harmed in the past.
I often feel crap like what is the point? and have panic attacks due to depression. However ive never been on anti depressents.

2013 was an absolute nightmare for me with having another depression spell.

 

[Jazzy]

I often feel crap like what is the point? and have panic attacks due to depression. However ive never been on anti depressents.

2013 was an absolute nightmare for me with having another depression spell.

Reading that really made me feel so sad. Have you ever sought professional help for your depression?

 

[Raven]

Nope. Music and Spirituality were my saviors.

Never spoke to my mum about it either, last time I tried she told me to stop being stupid or she would send me to a mental home. She was an alcoholic at the time. And I was a kid. Never told her anything about my depression since.

 

[Jazzy]

Nope. Music and Spirituality were my saviors.

Never spoke to my mum about it either, last time I tried she told me to stop being stupid or she would send me to a mental home. She was an alcoholic at the time. And I was a kid. Never told her anything about my depression since.

I'm glad you found Music and Spirituality as your saviors. I also hope 2014 will bring you nothing but happiness. Heck, finding Thomasz, is one hell of a start!

 

[Raven]

It is! I can't wait to see him, Coming home on Sunday

 

[Jazzy]

It is! I can't wait to see him, Coming home on Sunday

I bet he's missed you too! Nice to finally have a great guy in your life, eh?

 

[Raven]

Certainly!

 

[Jazzy]

Certainly!

Long time coming! Now, can you find one for me too?

 

[Evil Eye]

I suppose this is bit of a vicious cycle. People feel depressed because they can't get a job, people are less likely to get a job because they're depressed. Sad.

 

[Naiwen]

the situation I'm in right now.

 

[Jazzy]

the situation I'm in right now.

How long have you been looking for a job?

 

[wirelessguru1]

Unemployment is not the only problem with today's degenerate (evil) society...

 

[Naiwen]

the situation I'm in right now.

How long have you been looking for a job?

Since my graduation, which means a year and a half, no luck.

 

[DrLeftover]

the situation I'm in right now.

How long have you been looking for a job?

Since my graduation, which means a year and a half, no luck.

What sort of job are you looking for?

 

[identityissues8]

the situation I'm in right now.

How long have you been looking for a job?

Since my graduation, which means a year and a half, no luck.

I don't know about wherever you are, Ashera.
But it's not getting any easier for people in Australia, and that's for damn sure.

Good luck!

 

[Bluezone777]

I think the problem these people face is that they put their worth in how much they make and their employment status which brings on depression and a sense of hopelessness which tragically can lead to suicide. I think that would explain why some who struggle with money or unemployment don't go down the road the people in this article are talking about while others do. It's not wise to put your worth on money as it is something that can go as quickly as it comes as no one can really promise that they will be as good financially today as they will be a year from now. All I can really say is know you are more then just a paycheck and you aren't worthless just because you are out of work.