Nearly half of young adults face struggle in pandemic

ALMOST half of young Scots say their mental health has worsened since Covid began.

Almost one-third feel unable to cope with life under Covid-19, a survey by the Prince’s Trust found.

Two-thirds cent say they ‘always’ or ‘often’ feel anxious and are feeling as if they are ‘missing out on being young’.

But 7 per cent say their mental health has deteriorated since the pandemic began.

The Trust’s Tesco Youth Index gauges how young people in the UK feel about the state of their lives and how confident they are about the future.

The charity interviewed 152 young people aged 16-25. The

‘Taken a devastating toll’

report also shows that more than a fifth of young people in Scotland do not feel confident about their work prospects.

More than half (55 per cent) say it is harder to ask for employment help as ‘everyone needs it at the moment’ and two-thirds say that securing a new job feels impossible at present because there is so much competition.

Kate Still, director of The Prince’s Trust Scotland said: ‘The pandemic has taken a devastating toll on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

‘They face a disrupted education, a shrinking jobs market and isolation from their friends, and as a result, too many are losing all hope for the future.’

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: ‘We have provided £15million to support children and young people’s mental wellbeing at this challenging time. We will also continue to work with health boards, local authorities and partners to support people.’