Crime, depression, stress, and drugs affecting British youth

London, July 21 : A new survey has revealed that problems like violent crimes, depression, stress, and drugs are taking a toll on British youngsters.

Media Research, which surveyed 1,000 youths aged 16 to 24, says that British youngsters these days face more personal and social problems than they did a year ago.

The study's results show that 20 per cent of males under 24 have been threatened with a knife or weapon.

Forty-seven percent of those surveyed said that they knew someone who had faced such threats.

While 11 per cent subjects said that they had been asked to join a gang, 15 per cent felt pressured into carrying a weapon.

The surveyors also found that 27 per cent of the subjects knew at least one person their age who carried a weapon.

Over 50 per cent subjects said that they felt UK to be less safe than a year ago, while 78 per cent did not feel safe walking the streets.

A majority of youngsters also said they feel they have to deal with these worries alone.

The survey also revealed that 24 per cent of the youngsters felt that they could never discuss their concerns with their parents.

Only eight per cent had sought help in chat rooms, and six per cent from professionals.

About two thirds even reported feeling that the media misrepresented the issues facing young people.

Forty-one per cent of the youngsters surveyed reported being unhappy - girls more so than boys.

The surveyors said that 28 per cent said that they wished they were someone else.

While 63 per cent thought that young people are more depressed these days than ever before, 29 per cent said that youngsters in the UK had a tougher time than those in other countries.

Following the survey, MTV has launched MTVi, an online service offering support for young people affected by these issues.

"While violent crime is clearly a concern to young people, our survey indicates that it is only one factor that leads to increased levels of depression and stress," the Daily Express quoted Georgia Arnold, senior vice president of social responsibility for MTV networks, as saying.

"With up to a third feeling that they have to deal with their problems alone, we hope MTVi will become both a useful online resource where our audience can find relevant and useful information on issues that affect them and a portal to expert support beyond the site itself through our partners," she added.

The site will be supported by organisations Big White Hall, Frank, Urban Concepts and the Terrence Higgins Trust, which offer advice on anti-violence, drugs, and mental and sexual health.

ANI