The National League Trust in partnership with the Premier League and the Professional Footballers Association agreed to offer a Grant of £9,702 to Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation to fund a Men & Women’s Health & Wellbeing Project.
The North East had the highest suicide rate in 2021, 14.1 deaths per 100,000 Around three-quarters of suicides were males (4,129 deaths; 74.0%) consistent with long term trends, and equivalent to 16.0 deaths per 100,00, the rate for females was 5.5 deaths per 100,00. Among women, those aged 45 to 49 years had the highest age-specific suicide rate at 7.8 per 100,000 in 2021 (146 registered deaths). Among men, those aged 50 to 54 years had the highest age-specific suicide rate at 22.7 per 100,000 (456 deaths) Females aged 24 years or under have seen the largest increase in the suicide rate since 1981. In Hartlepool 2019-2021 had 14.7 deaths per 100,000 people.
In Hartlepool 22.8% of the population was income deprived in 2019. Of the 316 local authorities in England Hartlepool in ranked 5th most income deprived. Of 58 neighbourhoods in Hartlepool 32 were among the 20% most income deprived and 4 were in the 20% least income deprived. The above statistics show that there is a great need for the project in Hartlepool with suicide numbers increasing throughout the region. The project will add to the existing work that we do and able us to expand on our outcomes to support the mental health and wellbeing of our community bringing people together in a safe and welcoming environment.
The Men’s and Women’s Projects creates two separate hubs which allow people to meet, socialise and discuss problems and issues arising in their lives with likeminded people for support or even just listen to those in a similar situation.
The other two separate sessions for men and women include a range of different physical activities based on the needs and wants of the group to promote the benefits of physical activity on mental health: football, walking, badminton, walking football, aerobics exercises.
Physical exercise can benefit mental health by reducing anxiety and creating happier moods, reducing stress, instilling a greater sense of calm and clearer thinking, increased self-esteem as well as reducing the risk of depression and other social and two emotional benefits.
There has been an increased demand in suicide prevention in recent years due to Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and recession which is making it harder for families and individuals to make ends meet.
We have also seen an increased use of our community foodbank and know through our other activities in the community that there is a greater need for help and support to reduce the excessive waiting list in the NHS and doctors surgeries.
We believe that our charity can add value to suicide prevention in Hartlepool deprived wards and the surrounding local area and this will also help to minimise the overburdened NHS. Raising community awareness will help break down the taboo of suicides and help to save lives.
For further information contact:
Tel: 01429 862595
Email: hucsf@hartlepoolunited.co.uk
