ONE in ten young people in the North-East feels too anxious to leave their house, such is their fragile emotional state, according to a survey co-authored by youth charity The Prince’s Trust.

It said almost a third – 30 per cent – of young people questioned for The Prince’s Trust Macquarie Youth Index felt depressed “always” or “often”.

The survey – an annual health-check on young people’s well-being, which considers a range of areas from family life to physical health – is now in its seventh year.

Twenty seven per cent of a cross section of 16 to 25-year-olds quizzed said their anxiety meant they were unable to eat properly, while 15 per cent living in the North-East admitted to “falling apart” emotionally on a regular basis.

The findings were significantly worse for those not in education, employment or training, so-called ‘Neets’.

Jonathan Townsend, Prince's Trust regional director, said: “Thousands of young people in the North-East feel like prisoners in their own homes.

“Without the right support, these young people become socially isolated – struggling with day-to-day life and slipping further and further from the jobs market.

“At The Prince’s Trust, we help these young people re-build their confidence and take the first steps towards a job. Our programmes are proven to help even the most vulnerable young people find work and turn their lives around.”

Jade Savvery, from Middlesbrough, was targeted by bullies at school and hit an all-time low when her father died in a motorbike accident.

After receiving extra support from a programme run by The Prince’s Trust aimed at improving her confidence and motivation she went onto study childcare at college before later achieving her ambition of working for the NHS.

She is now a healthcare assistant at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and also volunteers as a young ambassador for the trust, speaking and networking at events organised by the charity.

The 21-year-old said: “I was at a very low point in my life and I honestly felt at the time that there was no way out.

“The Prince’s Trust has seen me through some dark times and I am so grateful to them.”

Shirley Cramer, chief executive officer of The Royal Society for Public Health, said: “Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can have a devastating impact on young people’s lives, affecting their relationships, self-confidence and job prospects.

“We want to work with the public sector and charities like The Prince’s Trust to help young people get the support they need to overcome these issues and move forward with their lives.”