Around one in 10 youths feel unable to cope with day-to-day life, a leading charity has claimed.
A survey found 9% of 16 to 25-year-olds struggle with life, the Prince's Trust said.
Those not in employment, education or training (Neets) are more likely to feel this way.
A third of young people in Scotland feel down or depressed either always or often, the Prince's Trust Youth Index also found.
Meanwhile, 28% of young people believe their prospects have been permanently damaged by the recession, while 21% feel they have no future as a result of the economic crisis. Those who are Neets are more likely to be affected by these concerns.
The survey interviewed 2,136 young people, including 116 in Scotland.
Heather Gray, director of the Prince's Trust Scotland, said: "A frightening number of unemployed young people in Scotland feel unable to cope, and it is particularly tough for those who don't have a support network in place. We know at the Prince's Trust that it is often those from the most vulnerable backgrounds who end up furthest from the job market. Life can become a demoralising downward spiral: from a challenging childhood into life as a jobless adult."
But with the right support it is possible to "get these lives on track", she said.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "The Scottish Government is doing everything in our power to maximise employment opportunities for those aged 16-24, including record levels of modern apprenticeships and Opportunities for All. The coming year will bring fresh impetus as we launch the new Employer Recruitment Incentive which will give financial support to small companies willing to give young people a job.
"The most recent employment figures, alongside record levels of school leavers going on to positive destinations, demonstrate significant progress in getting young people into employment or training. But we are aware that many young people still need additional support. The Scottish Government supports the third sector with youth work and intends to introduce legislation in 2013 to make sure all public services work to improve the well-being of young people in Scotland."
