Mental Health, Community Wellbeing and Supporting Each Other in Hartlepool
- Trevor Sherwood
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Recent political changes in Hartlepool have sparked many conversations across our community. With Hartlepool now operating under a hung council, many people are discussing what this may mean for the future of the town and local services.
While politics can shape communities, it can also affect people emotionally. Election periods often bring uncertainty, stress, frustration and anxiety, especially online where opinions can become intense and misinformation can spread quickly.
At LilyAnne’s Wellbeing, we believe it is important to focus not only on political outcomes, but also on the wellbeing of the people living within our community.
Mental Health in Hartlepool
Mental health challenges across Hartlepool and the wider Tees Valley remain significant. Suicide rates across the region continue to remain higher than many areas across England, with men aged between 35 and 54 particularly affected.
A number of factors can increase the risk of poor mental health and suicide locally, including:
financial pressures,
unemployment,
trauma,
substance misuse,
relationship breakdown,
and difficulty accessing support early enough.
Sadly, many people who die by suicide are not accessing specialist mental health support services at the time of death. This highlights the importance of community connection, early intervention and creating safe spaces where people feel able to talk openly before reaching crisis point.
Why Stressful Events Can Affect Wellbeing
Periods of uncertainty can affect people in very different ways. For some, constant news coverage, online debates and conflict can increase:
anxiety,
emotional overwhelm,
feelings of hopelessness,
anger,
social withdrawal,
or emotional exhaustion.
This can be particularly difficult for people already living with mental health conditions, trauma, Autism or ADHD, where emotional regulation and sensory overwhelm may already be challenging.
During stressful periods, it is important to remember:
It is okay to step away from social media.
It is okay to take breaks from the news.
It is okay to focus on your own wellbeing first.
Different opinions should never stop us supporting one another as a community.
Autism, ADHD and Suicide Risk
Research continues to show concerning mental health inequalities for neurodivergent individuals.
Research suggests around 1 in 4 autistic people report attempting suicide during their lifetime, with autistic individuals significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, social isolation and poor mental health than the wider population.
Many autistic and ADHD individuals experience:
masking and burnout,
social isolation,
bullying or exclusion,
trauma,
difficulty accessing appropriate support,
sensory overwhelm,
and challenges feeling understood within traditional services.
At LilyAnne’s Wellbeing, we recognise the importance of providing safe, understanding and neurodiversity-friendly support environments where people can feel heard without judgement.
Signs Someone May Be Struggling
Sometimes people experiencing emotional distress may:
withdraw socially,
stop replying to messages,
appear overwhelmed or exhausted,
become unusually quiet or emotional,
lose interest in activities,
talk negatively about themselves,
increase alcohol or substance use,
or express feelings of hopelessness.
Checking in with somebody, even with a simple message or conversation, can make a significant difference.
How You Can Support Someone
You do not need to have all the answers to support somebody.
Helpful approaches include:
listening without judgement,
avoiding criticism,
checking in regularly,
encouraging them to seek support,
offering practical help,
and reminding them they are not alone.
Sometimes simply being present matters most.
Where To Get Support
At LilyAnne’s Wellbeing, we provide community-based wellbeing and emotional support across Hartlepool, including:
peer support,
wellbeing coffee mornings,
one-to-one emotional support,
counselling pathways,
loneliness support,
and signposting to wider services.
Access Support
Complete a referral through:LilyAnne’s Wellbeing Referrals
Crisis Support
If someone is in immediate danger or crisis:
Call 999 in an emergency
Contact NHS 111 and select mental health support
Contact Samaritans on 116 123
One Community
No matter people’s backgrounds, beliefs or opinions, Hartlepool remains one community.
By showing kindness, compassion and understanding towards one another, we can continue building a safer, healthier and more supportive town for everyone.
