People may seem hopeless simply because they have nothing to hope for. Others may have been raised to feel hopeless about their situation and do nothing about it. Sometimes it may be because their hopes and dreams have been dashed by a problem they don't know how to deal with simply because they have never dealt with it before.
I assume that when people say they have nothing to live for, they follow the theory that everyone has a purpose in life however they contradict to that theory when confused, unaware of what to do next. Or sometimes a major discouraging event (i.e. a friend dies) it will lead back to the previous statement.
People choose not to accept change because people are AFRAID of change. Perhaps not all of them fear change. However those that do, fear that their perfect lives may be ruined and are not willing to risk their lives for change. They may also think that they don't need change and in some cases, it's fine.
And yes. I can try.