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

The positive contribution that work makes to the mental health of young people is outlined in a new report published in the UK this week.

A survey of more than 2,000 16-to-25 year olds reveals that young people not working or in education or training program (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."