Many youngsters have trouble coping with life during their teenage years and are full of anxiety and worry.
Some of them are so shy and have such a low opinion of themselves they will hide even from their own families.
Now a new scheme matches these nervous teenagers with adults prepared to devote large amounts of time to coaxing them out of their shells.
First results of this scheme, which carefully matches children with mentors, have been highly encouraging in Brighton and Hove.
There are signs the friendships formed between the adults and youngsters will continue even when help is no longer needed.
It's an excellent scheme well worth extending, provided great care is taken to find the right matches.
Not only does it benefit the teenagers but it also can extend the horizons of the adults doing the befriending.
But those operating the scheme know it tackles only part of the problem.
Most of the youngsters come from deprived homes notable for unemployment and poverty.
Tackling these twin evils, which are still abound in many parts of towns such as Brighton and Hastings, is still a pressing and urgent priority.
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