The main victims of the recession are young people, and unemployment may well damage their mental health. This makes the work we do as teachers and support staff to help young people in improving their emotional well-being and in gaining a good education so important.
A recent report by the Princes Trust warned that the recession is likely to scar the lives of the almost one million people currently under 25 and out of work who are the main victims of this recession.
Being unemployed has been shown to increase feelings of anxiety, depression, dissatisfaction with one’s life, negative self-esteem, helplessness regarding the future and other negative emotional states, all of which are prevalent within our patient group.
Research shows that unemployment is a major contributor/risk factor in the suicide and para-suicide (apparent attempt at suicide) of young people, in particular young men. Therefore the engagement of young people in meaningful employment should go some way to decreasing pressure on mental health services.
The effects of the recession and mental illness can further decrease the availability of employment to young people who have had contact with mental health services, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to further exclusion from the labour market, and leading to further marginalisation and impoverishment. The government’s own social exclusion unit has argued that “employment and a strong social network are as important to persons with mental health problems as the treatment they receive”.
Guy Bannister – Tuesday 5 January 2010 12.37 GMT guardian.co.uk