One in four young unemployed Scots considers suicide

THE true depth of the problems facing Scotland's young unemployed has been laid bare in a report which reveals that more than a quarter are so depressed they have contemplated suicide.

Others turn to drink or drugs in the face of serial rejection and bleak prospects, according to The Future You, an online mentoring service.

The responses of more than 750 young people across the UK paint a depressing picture of the impact of unemployment on their mental health.

Of those surveyed in Scotland, 28 per cent said they had contemplated suicide, compared with 25 per cent south of the Border.

A third of Scots often felt their "life was being wasted", while two-thirds said being classed a Neet - Not in Education, Employment of Training - made them "feel bad about themselves".

Across the UK, 22 per cent said they had turned to alcohol, with 13 per cent taking drugs.

Despite all those surveyed being 25 or under, one in five expected to rely on state benefits for life.

Patrick Gifford, of FutureYou, said: "Traditional methods of getting young people into work aren't working. Young people have told us that career advisers and Job Centres were the least useful tool available to them.

"What they want is support from people their age, their families and working people they can take realistic advice from."

Scottish unemployment fell to 208,000 between January and March, putting the rate at 7.7 per cent - the same as the UK average.

However, a recent study by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) found the unemployment rate for young people to be around 20 per cent, almost three times the overall figure.

Lucy McTernan, chief executive of CAS, said: "The evidence from Scottish advice bureaux shows that young people in Scotland have been hit hard by the recession, and that this is really causing a wave of anger and despair across their generation.

"A few months ago, we under-took our own survey of Scots aged 18 to 25, to assess the impact the recession is having on their lives. The results really took us by surprise. The scale of the crisis in our youth is much greater than is generally realised.

"One in every five young people aged 16 to 24 are now unemployed. For 16- to 17-year-olds, this figure jumps to one in every three."

Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, said: "This research shows just how devastating it is for young people to be out of work and not in education or training.

"At Children 1st, we work with a wide range of young people in the same situation. Many come to us because they are already dealing with these kind of issues in their lives - low self-esteem, poor mental health, poverty and substance misuse issues."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The Scottish Government is doing all it can to make sure that every young Scot is equipped to get a job. We are ensuring more vulnerable young people are identified earlier, so that they get the right personal and financial support, at the right time and for as long as is needed."