A new poll reveals that young adults in the area struggle to be open about their problems.

A poll of 1,000 18-25 year olds by UK Youth, a leading youth charity, found that young adults spend more than six hours a day feeling stressed or worried.

The study found that money, appearance, weight, health and fears about the future are the top five concerns.

In the South West, 87 per cent of young adults admitted to feeling lonely, with 65 per cent saying they had at least one occasion where they felt they had no one to turn to to help.

As a result of this isolation, 50.1 per cent have got themselves in more trouble by not confiding in someone.

The South West is below the national average, with 67 per cent of young people nationally admitting they faced at least one occasion where they felt they had no one to turn to and 56 per cent ending up in more trouble after keeping a problem to themselves.

The region was second only to Scotland for the amount of people available to talk to, with the poll finding that on average, each individual had 4.46 people to turn to for advice (compared to Scotland’s 4.9).

Although the average young person in the South West has 163 friends on social media, 63 per cent still find it hard to share their problems.

The stats emerged in a study by UK Youth to launch its #KeepMeSafe campaign, which calls on all organisations working with young adults to stop what they’re doing, look at their safeguarding policies, listen to young adults and take action during National Safeguarding Month.

A spokeswoman for UK Youth said: “It’s concerning to see just how long young people spend feeling worried or stressed and how many of them have to go through these issues alone without anyone to turn to for advice and guidance. Despite living in our ever-connected world, young adults need safe spaces more than ever.

“For many, their local youth club is the only place that provides them with a trusted adult to confide in an access to advice, support and guidance needed to feel safe and build bright futures. Many youth services need to be supported with additional safeguarding resources and training to #KeepMeSafe.” #KeepMeSafe will run throughout National Safeguarding Month (from Thursday, March 1 until Saturday, March 31) and is part of the Stop, Look, Listen campaign that has been led by UK Youth and NCVYS for several years.

Visit ukyouth.org/stop-look-listen