Mental health support pushed by football campaign
Written by Cara McKenna on 14th October 2026
Football fans are being encouraged to seek help if they are struggling with their mental health after an increase in suicides in early 2025.
Hartlepool was the only local authority in the Tees Valley to record an increase on suicide in the first half of 2025. The increase has caused Hartlepool United to team up with the Tees, Esk, and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) to launch the poolies matter initiative focusing on mental health.
Ed Parkinson of the trust said the purpose of the campaign is “aimed at reaching people who might not normally look at NHS information and letting them know what is available locally”. Led by the trust, it offers practical help for those experiencing anxiety, loneliness, or depression and features real stories from pools supporters and community groups to encourage others to ask for help.
He added: “There is loads of evidence suggesting that early intervention often helps with recovery from mental illness and can help prevent it from becoming more serious and/or re-occurring.
“The club and all of the supporters groups were extremely helpful and I think we got the feel of a grassroots, fan-based campaign which made it more effective,” Parkinson said.
The club and the trust have joined together after the rise as Hartlepool United’s football record has deteriorated, with them having six managers since the beginning of 2025 and struggling to win games. If Hartlepool United manage to succeed in getting the results the fans want this could benefit the campaign as more people will be watching the games and witnessing the campaign.
Hartlepool United fan, Ellen Hornsey, said: “The club has had a lot of instability and negativity surrounding it due to not having the best gameplay, and the passion of pools fans is very strong so negative results and managers constantly being sacked could effect their mood in day to day life.
“It is important pools produce better performances as the better we play, the more coverage we will get within the town and the North East, pushing the campaign to be more known throughout supporters,” Hornsey said.
From January to June 2025, the record of suicides in Hartlepool rose from 4.7 to 5.9 per 100,000 deaths.
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