Prince Charles has
interrupted his summer break to release a poignant message for a cause
“immensely close” to his heart, International Youth Day.
In the video, the heir to the
throne said: “Today gives us all an opportunity to celebrate the
incredible achievements of young people and, additionally, allows us to reflect
on the impact that recent years have had on the younger generation. In
terms of the adversities they have faced, it is remarkable to see the
resilience and ambition young people continue to show in the face of
unprecedented global challenges.”
The Prince of Wales
highlighted the effects that the pandemic, the current cost-of-living crisis
and climate change are having on the mental health of the younger
generation.
He said: “My Trust has
found time and time again that poor mental health can become a significant
obstacle when young people try to take their next step into employment.”
He also recounted his own
personal experience of meeting young people and highlighted the work that his
charity, the Prince’s Trust has been carrying out for the past 46 years.
However, in an empowering end
to his message, he said: “It is particularly important that you know your
resilience is respected, your determination is admired and that our commitment
to you is clear, in order to give you all the chance you deserve.”
The Prince’s Trust was founded
by Prince Charles in 1976 to help young people, aged between 11 and 30 get
their lives on track.
The charity, which operates in
18 countries, is believed to have helped over 950,000 people within the United
Kingdom alone.
Recent research from The
Prince’s Trust UK and Learning and Work Institute found the proportion of out-of-work young people reporting a mental health problem has increased from 11% in 2011 to almost a third in 2022.
