The outcomes & impact of youth advice – the evidence

Research has been published by Youth Access, the youth advice and counselling charity, that shows the strain on the NHS budget from illness brought on by youth unemployment.

The research shows the impact that common unemployment-related problems about money or housing have on young people if they don’t get good early advice. Many end up in debt, homeless or involved in crime, with the taxpayer picking up the tab. The biggest strain is put on the NHS budget.

Three-quarters of a million young adults aged 16-24 become mentally or physically ill each year because of stress from problems which could have been solved easily, if they had had advice earlier. Over a third of these young people end up receiving NHS treatment from GPs, hospitals and psychiatric services, at substantial cost to the taxpayer. This will cost the NHS at least £250m a year at a time it needs to make substantial efficiency savings.

Getting good advice often transforms these young people’s lives, with 70% reporting reduced levels of stress.  Many unemployed young people are able to get back into education or work once their problems are sorted out.

The outcomes & impact of youth advice – the evidence (pdf file)