Young people were urged today to look after their friends this Christmas.

People who were normally sad or suffered from conditions such as depression were likely to feel worse at this time of year, but they might not show it, Children's Commissioner Helen D'Amato told a seminar on Christmas and Poverty.

"Just because your friend might look happy and popular might not necessarily be the case," she told the activity organised by the National Youth Council.

Alexia Sammut, a member of the council, said that poverty affected young people in various ways.

"Young people want to fit in with their friends and, when they cannot afford branded clothes and expensive social activities, they feel left out."

Matthew Vella, general secretary of the council, said more emphasis should be made on encouraging young people to carry out voluntary work, even at Christmas.

But poverty, hidden or otherwise, is not restricted to Christmas.

Connie Magro spoke of how a girl made up excuses not to go to school because she did not want her friends to know that her parents could not afford to pay for a school outing, after her father lost his job and fell into depression. .

The headmistress eventually got to know what was happening, and the school paid for the outing.

Mrs D'mato in stressing that people should look out for their friends, also underscored the importance of education to ensure that children born to poor families were able to improve their chances in life.

Anthony Girard said willpower was key, stressing that change was possible, even for drug abusers.