The Helsinki Deaconess Institute, a foundation that provides services to some of society’s most vulnerable groups, has published a new study revealing perceived shortcomings in the support given to underprivileged young people.

The foundation interviewed 120 young people who are not in employment or education about their experiences and wellbeing, and found that many say they had not received enough help with their problems, with the exception of some social services.

The research also concluded that young people develop an identity of being underprivileged at an early age, and found that their loneliness has its roots in early childhood. The majority of young people interviewed reported suffering bullying at school and learning difficulties.

The young people participating in the study were found to be held back by an inability to trust others, and feelings of worthlessness. Many had had a lot of contact with social work services, but did not feel that they had received the help they needed with their problems.

However, the study also found that when the right support was provided, the outcomes quickly became positive. For example out of 1,000 disadvantaged youngsters using the Deaconess Institute’s own Vamos services, two-thirds were found to have gone on to study or employment within a year.

The young people were interviewed between 2013 and 2014 for the report, which is published alongside a handbook summarising the lessons garnered from the research. The handbook contains advice for providing outreach help to young people in difficult life situations when other forms of support have failed.