A survey by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reveals half of the world's youth population are subject to anxiety or depression-causing circumstances, and over a third are uncertain of their future career prospects due to the ongoing Covid -19 pandemic. The study titled 'Youth and Covid-19: impacts on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being' survey found that if no action is taken, youths are at the risk of suffering severe and long-lasting adverse impacts from the pandemic.
The report said, “The Covid -19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives. Even before the onset of the crisis, the social and economic integration of young people was an ongoing challenge. Now, unless urgent action is taken, young people are likely to suffer severe and long-lasting impacts from the pandemic.” The survey aimed to capture the effects of the virus on the lives of youths in employment, education, rights, and social activism.
ILO received over 12,000 responses from 112 countries. It found that 50 per cent young people, one in two, across the world are possibly subject to anxiety or depression, while 17 per cent are probably affected by it. The survey said, “Severe disruption to learning and working, compounded by the health crisis, has seen a deterioration in young people's mental well-being.”
Also, young people whose education or work was either disrupted or had stopped completely were almost twice as likely to be affected by anxiety or depression as compared to those who continued to be employed or whose education was not affected. The report said, “This underscores the interlinkages that exist between mental well-being, educational success and labour market integration.”
The report further said, 38 per cent of young people are uncertain of their future career prospects as Covid-19 is expected to further hamper the labour market. ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said, “The pandemic is inflicting multiple shocks on young people. It is not only destroying their jobs and employment prospects, but also disrupting their education and training and having a serious impact on their mental well-being.”
