Young people not in work or education are in danger of becoming depressed a Prince's Youth Trust survey suggests.
The annual Trust survey of more than 2,000 UK 16-25-year-olds found more than one in four young people in work admits to feeling down or depressed "always" or "often" with this figure rising to 48% amongst those who are not in employment, education or training (Neets).
The Trust's fifth annual Youth Index gauged young people's happiness across a range of areas from family life to physical and mental health.
More than one in five, or 22%, said they did not have someone to talk to about their problems while they were growing up, with Neets significantly less likely to have had someone to confide in.
Martina Milburn, chief executive of The Prince's Trust, said: "A frightening number of unemployed young people feel unable to cope – and it is particularly tough for those who don't have a support network in place.
"We know at The Prince's Trust that it is often those from the most vulnerable backgrounds who end up furthest from the job market.
"Life can become a demoralising downward spiral – from a challenging childhood into life as a jobless adult. But, with the right support, we can help get these lives on track."
A major campaign by Gloucestershire College in the county called "Get Fresh" has been launched to reach out to young people aged between 16-18 who are not in work, education or training.
The "Get Fresh" campaign provides a number of opportunities to get back into learning or to gain that vital first foothold in the workplace.
Part of the campaign is called GC Re-Engage. The programme can range between 3 to 12 hours per week and will include activities to help young people develop confidence and self-esteem.
It can also include the core subjects of maths and English.
Delivery of the programme will be on a small group basis through dedicated subject specialist tutors and includes enrichment activities and careers advice.
Depending on the number of hours students attend college, participants could earn up to £100 a month while learning.
The course will help with the maths and English qualifications necessary to progress into a vocational programme in September 2013.
Throughout the programme students will also experience a range of vocational taster sessions including subjects such as art, media, computing, catering and sports.
This course will run between January and June 2013 and students will come to college for between 12-16 hours per week.
You can find out more about the opportunities at Gloucestershire College on the Get Fresh website or at one of the following advice sessions:
Tuesday 8th January: Cheltenham Campus
Wednesday 9th January: Royal Forest of Dean Campus
Thursday 10th January: Gloucester Campus
All advice sessions runs between 5.30pm-6.30pm
* If you are aged 16-25 you may also want to consider taking the 12-week Young Gloucestershire Prince's Trust programme
