The Prince’s Trust NatWest Youth Index 2024, released today, finds that almost a third of 16–25-year-olds in Greater Manchester are worried their mental health will stop them achieving their career goals.
The Youth Index is an annual research report based on a YouGov survey of 2,239 16- to 25-year-olds across the UK, gauging young people’s confidence and happiness across a range of areas, from their physical and mental health to money and working life.
This year’s research shows the overall wellbeing of young people remains low, with happiness and confidence in mental health seeing the biggest decrease compared to other factors over the 15-year history of the research. Happiness in work, education, qualifications and money are at all-time lows.
In Greater Manchester, over a tenth of young people report a mental health issue has stopped them applying for a job or attending an interview during the last 12 months, with a fifth missing school or work in the past year due to their mental health. The report finds that 38 per cent of 16 to 25-year-olds in Greater Manchester have experienced a mental health problem, while a fifth report their mental health has got worse in the last year.
The findings suggest that the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty is exacerbating mental health issues and its impacts, as over a third of young people say that worrying about money has made their mental health much worse. Over half (52 per cent) in Greater Manchester state the cost of living crisis has had a worse impact on their life than the pandemic. A third (34 per cent) of young people say thinking about money depresses or stresses them, with over half (58 per cent) worrying that the cost of living crisis means they’ll never be financially secure.
“Not only am I in a dream job, but I also have financial stability, which is important to me particularly in a cost of living crisis”, said Hatim.
Hatim, 19 from Greater Manchester, is now thriving in his role as a Display Assistant at the media agency Manning Gottlieb OMD (MG OMD), but prior to coming to The Prince’s Trust, he was struggling at college unsure of what direction to go in.
At The Trust he built his confidence and independence through a 12-week personal development course, Team. This was followed by a Get into Digital Marketing course with It’s What You Know (WYK) Digital, after he had relocated to London, which gave Hatim relevant skills and industry experience.
“Failing my second year at college knocked my confidence, and I wasn’t sure what direction to go in. But the Team programme took me out of my comfort zone, in a good way. It pushed me, built my confidence and taught me independence.”
“The Prince’s Trust and WYK were massive support systems during my time on the Digital Marketing course. I got so much invaluable experience and I feel that it really prepped me for what I’m doing now.
“I’m really excited about my role with MG OMD. The work is great, and the team are really supportive. I’m in a job I’ve always wanted, my confidence has improved and I’m feeling positive about my future.”
Julie Ainscough, Head of Service Delivery for Greater Manchester, at The Prince’s Trust said:
“This year’s report shows that rising rates of poor mental health are significantly impacting young people’s education and early careers in Greater Manchester.
“With unemployed 16 – 25-year-olds consistently reporting the worst overall wellbeing, it also shows us – and young people tell us – that being in employment is good for their mental health, gives their lives stability and financial security, and enables them to feel positive about their future.
“We must work together to address this trap, where poor mental health and employment struggles exacerbate each other, or risk it closing in on a generation. Urgent support is needed from partners, governments and employers, to help young people break this cycle.”
In Greater Manchester, over half (56 per cent) worry about not having the right skills and qualifications, or the right experience (62 per cent) to get a job in the future. A third (34 per cent) of young people don’t feel in control of their future. They also report not feeling confident they will achieve their goals in life (20 per cent) and similar numbers (22 per cent) say they feel like they will fail in life.
