One in four youngsters depressed over future

ALMOST one in four young people feel depressed about their future prospects, voicing concerns about the chances of getting a decent job and fearing discrimination because of their age, a new study showed today.

A survey of 1,500 people aged between 16 and 24 for phone giant O2 found that only half were confident of finding a secure job in the next five years.

Most of those questioned said there were not enough quality jobs for young people and more than half believed employers discriminated against them.

Just over half said the advice and support they were given on how to find work was poor, while most said the media portrayal of young people was negative.

Bill Eyres, of O2, said: "Through our youth programme, O2 works with hundreds of young people to help them play a positive role in their communities.

"We get the chance to hear first-hand how it feels to be a young person today.

"The message from young people is clear. They want government and organisations to listen and take action.

"The good news is there is growing evidence that giving young people the opportunity to make a difference in their community. By trusting them with funding, we can help provide them with a route back to confidence and employability."

Teesside University's youth and communities expert Professor Tony Chapman, who helped O2 with its research, added: "The survey results provide evidence to show just how worried young people are.

"It's a warning shot to society, showing that steps must be taken to build the resilience of our young people."

The study was part of O2's 5 million programme aimed at helping young people run projects and campaigns in their local community.