YOUNG carers in Scotland are less happy and more stressed than their peers, but proud of what they do, a survey has found.
The research by the charity Carers Trust found that young people who have to care for a friend or family member because they have a serious illness or disability have more worries than those without caring responsibilities.
Top concerns were about money, bullying, exams and their family situation.
Research with hundreds of unpaid young carers from across the UK was compared with answers given by equivalent non-carers.
Around 48 per cent of young carers said their role made them feel stressed and 44 per cent said it made them feel tired. However 51 per cent percent reported they were proud of being young carers and 42 per cent said that it made them happy.
The research also shows a quarter of the young carers group don't have enough people to talk to and 28 per cent said they would like to talk to other young carers online.
As a result the Carers Trust is launching a new website and online community Babble to help carers share stories and offer friendship and support to other young people with similar responsibilities .
The site will also provide help and advice, email and chat sessions with the Carers Trust online support team made up of qualified youth and community workers and social workers.
Florence Burke, director of Carers Trust Scotland, said: "We know from what young people tell us that caring responsibilities can have a big impact on young carers' mental wellbeing, and this survey really brings home the scale of the issue.
"This is also the first time we've been able to compare young carers' feelings to other children and young people. It shows just how much Babble is needed to combat the risk of isolation and to make sure these young people are as happy and supported as they can be."
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