The importance of employment and how the lack of it can affect all aspects of a young person’s life cannot be understated.
The Prince’s Trust recently carried out some quantitative research on this subject and the results are really concerning for the future of our young people.
The findings highlighted the emotional impact unemployment has on the young: the unemployed are more than twice as likely as their peers to have been prescribed anti-depressants and 40% say they have experienced mental health issues including suicidal thoughts, feelings of self-loathing and panic attacks. One in four (24%) long-term unemployed young people have self-harmed and one in three (32%) have felt suicidal. It also identified clear gender differences, with girls at greater risk of mental health issues.
Among its other findings are that confidence and happiness among the disadvantaged youth, otherwise known as NEETs (not in employment, education or training) have decreased. The index has dropped from 64 in 2013 to 60 in 2014.
Here at FN Research we strongly believe in supporting young people and encouraging their entrepreneurial spirit. For example, Fiona regularly talks to local GSCE and’ A’ Level Business studies students about the importance of market research and supports Young Enterprise NI with their Quickstart and Entrepreneurial Masterclass programmes.