Report finds isolation among UK’s young people

MANY YOUNG people across the UK are feeling isolated and lonely, with no one to turn to to share their emotions and problems, a report has found.

One in four youngsters say they often feel left out, while a similar proportion feel isolated from others, it suggests.

And more than one in five believe that where they live has a negative impact on their mental health.

The major study, published by the Mental Health Foundation, warns that early life experiences, where youngsters live, exploring their identity as they grow up and pressures as they leave school are all factors that can pose a risk to good mental health.

But having supportive friends and families, and learning skills that help them to talk about and manage their feelings, as well as good support when problems arise, can help to protect young people’s wellbeing.

The report, published as part of the Foundation’s 70th anniversary, includes the findings of an online survey of more than 2,500 young people.

The poll found that just 54 per cent of young adults feel able to speak about their emotions with others, while 14 per cent say they do not have a trusted adult to go to for advice and support if they were experiencing a problem.

Just over half of those questioned were confident that they know where to go to find help if they are concerned about their mental health and wellbeing, while a just a third (34 per cent) are confident that they would get the help they need.

The study says: “Children and young people’s early life experiences, the areas they live in, the process of navigating and exploring their identity, and the pressures they experience as they leave school and enter the workplace can all be issues posing risks to good mental health.”