Mental health and cost-of-living crisis ‘double threat’ to young ethnic minority people
Joe Lepper
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
The wellbeing of young people from ethnic minority backgrounds is at risk from a “double threat” of rising costs and an increase in mental health issues following the pandemic, a survey is warning.
Among the 2,700 young people from ethnic minorities surveyed, just under a quarter say they are struggling to pay for day to items and services.
In addition, two in five say they continue to face mental health challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Among school leavers more than one in ten have had to take jobs with less opportunity for career progression due to financial concerns.
Meanwhile, just under one in five say their grades have suffered due to issues around money and mental health.
The survey has been commission by Young Futures Foundation, which warns that “the negative impacts of the cost-of-living crisis are more pronounced among non-white groups, particularly those who are Asian, black or from multiple ethnic backgrounds”.
It adds that the impact on black young people is particularly pronounced, as they are more likely to struggle to pay for transport to work or college, suffer a breakdown in family relationships and take out loans.
“I am struggling to find the balance between having a social life and working,” said Zee, a young person being supported by an employability scheme backed by the foundation.
"I am working so much so that I can pay for various things I need to survive. This means I can’t socialise and see my friends as much as I’d like. I’d like to make the most of things whilst I am young but now I have so many more working commitments to be able to get through," Zee added.
“Young people are yet to recover from being hit harder by the pandemic and now they must deal with a cost-of-living crisis of a magnitude most of us have never experienced,” said Youth Futures Foundation chair Seyi Obakin.
“Yet, they are also facing difficult employment prospects, particularly those from ethnic minority and marginalised backgrounds. As the country tackles the issues we are currently facing, we must ensure that young people, especially the most vulnerable, are not left behind.”
She urged the government to ensure that further funding from dormant financial services assets, targets projects that tackle youth unemployment.
The government is currently consulting on doubling its dormant assets scheme and future priorities for spending the fund.
🚨 1 in 8 young people are out of work/education and the rising cost of living situation is at crisis point. 🚨
— Youth Futures Foundation (@YF_Foundation) September 29, 2022
We need your support to secure vital funding for youth employment. Submit your response in the #DormantAssetsScheme consultation now! https://t.co/BhjeJzlOx4 pic.twitter.com/9ZHiq7Mj5v
Charities and some Conservative MPs are concerned that the government may drop a pledge to increase benefits, including those for young people, in line with inflation.
Although former Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised that benefits with the cost of living, Liz Truss has declined to commit to the pledge.
