Work has positive impact on mental health of young people, report reveals

Joblessness leads to 'spiral' of depression, charity warns The positive contribution that work makes to the mental health of young people is outlined in a report published today. A survey of more than 2,000 16-to-25 year olds reveals that young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) are significantly more vulnerable to mental ill-health than their peers who are in work. While an estimated 27% of young people in employment say they 'always' or 'often' feel depressed or down, that figure rises to 48% across the NEET population. The survey, carried out for the Prince's Trust charity, shows a "worrying" discrepancy, according to Richard Parish, chief executive of the Royal Society of Public Health. Parish said: "These unemployed young people need support to regain their self-worth and, ultimately, get them back in the workplace." The Insurance Service