NEARLY a third of young people have difficulties getting to sleep at night because of worries about their lives, says a new survey.
The 16 to 24-year-old age group reported the most difficulty due to their anxieties at nearly 32% of those questioned.
This compared with 28% of 25 to 34-year-olds, the next worst affected group.
The internet survey for the Samaritans charity found the over-55s had the lowest level of problems in falling asleep due to worry - at 21%.
Results of the Troubled Thoughts survey conducted last month among 1,500 people were released to coincide with a national fundraising and awareness day to highlight the 24-hour service provided by the Samaritans.
The charity has said that night is the worst period for worrying and its busiest times are between 10pm and 2am.
The questionnaire found Northern Ireland had the greatest proportion of people with difficulties getting to sleep because of worry at 36%.
People in south west England showed the lowest level of worry at 20%.
A spokesman for the Samaritans said a growing number of young people were contacting the charity through e-mail and by telephone for support.
He said: "We get more calls from young people, in fact even younger than 16-years-old.
"This particular research was for people aged 16 years and upwards but we have had calls from children as young as nine."
Consultant psychologist Dr Andrew McDowell said young people did not want to be seen as unable to cope.
"A huge part of why they keep their problems to themselves is that they don't want to be seen as not coping - so they won't turn to their friends or family."
