Survey reveals worries of Edinburgh 's young people during coronavirus lockdown

Almost all concerned about Covid’s impact in their future

Most young people are worried about how coronavirus will affect their future

ALMOST nine out of ten young people in Edinburgh are worried about their exams and coursework following the closure of schools, colleges and universities, new research has found.

And almost all said they were concerned about the impact of coronavirus on their future.

A new study - the LockdownLowdown report - commissioned by the Scottish Youth Parliament, YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot, asked young people to share their concerns about Covid-19.

It found 88 per cent are concerned about their mental wellbeing and 46 per cent are not confident accessing information on mental health and wellbeing.

While nine out of ten young people know how to access information, advice and updates around lockdown, 64 per cent don’t know where to access information on financial support. And 70 per cent are concerned about their financial situation.

More than 2,400 young people across Scotland took part in the research and many respondents stated that decision-makers should improve the impact on education while calling for restrictions to be stricter.

Jack Dudgeon MSYP, chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Young people need reassurance that their life opportunities are not at risk. Before the pandemic, we already knew that young people were battling a mental health epidemic, with rates of depression and anxiety skyrocketing.

“The findings from LockdownLowdown reveal that young people in Edinburgh are concerned about their own mental wellbeing.

“With their democratic mandate, Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament will work with decision-makers for the benefit of young people’s futures in the context Covid-19.”