Chapter 7
Empowering Decisions Within Communities
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Liverpool’s Health in 2040 report highlights mental health as one of the city’s biggest challenges. Poor mental health affects people throughout the life course, influencing infant mortality, outcomes in adulthood, and life expectancy. Poor mental health is linked to poverty, inadequate housing, and communities. It can lead to unhealthy behaviours, The impact extends to families, communities, the economy, and public services.
Mental health inequalities are significant. Those in deprived areas are twice as likely to have mental health conditions. Women are 1.6 times more likely to have mental health issues than men. Suicide rates are higher among men but attempts among women are rising. Physical health and mental health are deeply connected—poor physical health can lead to mental health issues and vice versa.
Current mental health services are already struggling to meet levels of need. It is clear that a new approach is needed. Wider services, not just specialists, must be equipped to respond to mental health needs early to prevent crises.
Health Needs Assessment work is underway to address the gap in local intelligence. A children and young people’s mental health needs assessment is planned to complete in 24/25 and there are provisional plans to undertake an adult mental health needs assessment in 25/26.
- Rates of depression in Liverpool are expected to double by 2040, affecting nearly 37% of adults
- 16.1% of adults diagnosed with depression in 2022-23
- Men have a higher rate of suicide
- Women are twice as likely to attempt suicide
- Residents in deprived areas are twice as likely to experience mental health issues
Public Health is working to integrate mental health support across services like health visitors, school nurses, and adult social care. Initiatives like Growing Stronger train professionals to help people affected by childhood trauma, and suicide prevention training equips thousands to assist those in crisis.
To address this growing issue, Liverpool is:
- Expanding mental health and suicide prevention training
- Implementing evidence-based mental health programmes
- Ensuring strong leadership commitment to mental health policies
- Strengthening partnerships, including social prescribing systems
- Securing resources to expand impact
- Improving mental health data collection and analysis
Growing Stronger
Growing Stronger is Liverpool’s response to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The programme is led by Public Health and Children’s Services. It aims to educate professionals on supporting trauma-affected individuals with empathy. It also includes a public campaign to raise awareness. The Fairer Healthier Liverpool Partnership has committed to trauma-informed care through the Growing Stronger Pledge, setting a model for other organisations.
Recent Successes
- Over 3,000 professionals trained in suicide prevention.
- 400+ individuals supported through community suicide prevention programs.
- Successful mental health campaigns like “Kind to Your Mind” and “Reach Out” are reducing stigma.
- There is trauma-informed workforce development across multiple sectors.
- We are strengthening mental health data collection through the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
Liverpool is committed to tackling mental health challenges through early intervention, prevention, and collaboration. By embedding mental health support in everyday services, the city aims to reduce the number of individuals accessing support only at the point of crisis and improve long-term outcomes.
A demonstration of generational support
Liv Well service
Liv Well Service promotional image
Liverpool City Council is working to help residents achieve a healthier weight. They have launched a new Liv Well Service shaped by local people. This was done through consultations and behavioural insights to meet community needs.
The numbers show a big challenge. Over 67% of adults in Liverpool are living with excess weight. For children, the problem starts early. One in four begins school overweight or obese. By Year 6, this rises to two in five.
The Liv Well Service offers hope. It will support families, adults, and schools. The service will run in community venues across the city to make it easy to access. Pregnant women will also get help through a special maternity programme.
With help from the community, the service will provide more than advice. It will offer tools and guidance to help people make healthier choices—one step at a time.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Liverpool faces big health challenges. Many people in the city suffer from long-term illnesses, and those in poorer areas are hit hardest. Conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are more common in these communities.
Right now, 27.2% of adults in the most deprived areas have both high blood pressure and diabetes. In wealthier areas, the figure is just 18%. Almost 94,000 people in the city live with two or more long-term conditions, such as cancer, CVD, and respiratory diseases.
In 2023/24, around 82,000 people in Liverpool had high blood pressure. That’s 13.9% of the population, slightly lower than the national average of 14.8%. But there are still an estimated 32,000 people in the city who have high blood pressure and don’t know it. By 2040, 20,300 more people are expected to be diagnosed with hypertension. The demand for care will grow the most in the city’s poorer areas.
Around 12% of people with two or more long-term conditions are from minority ethnic backgrounds. Many in these groups face language barriers that stop them from getting the care they need. This population is expected to grow by 4,000 by 2040.
What Liverpool is Doing to Improve CVD Outcomes
Liverpool is working hard to tackle CVD and reduce health inequalities. The city follows the CORE20PLUS5 approach, which focuses on the areas of greatest need. Here’s what’s being done:
Prevention and Early Detection
Using data to focus resources on the people who need help the most.
Offering regular health checks, stop smoking services, and weight management programmes.
Community outreach, including blood pressure checks and heart failure awareness events.
Community engagement
Health checks in workplaces and local communities, including through wellness vans and Community Champions.
Campaigns like “Know Your Numbers” and BEAT-Heart Failure roadshows at local events.
Raising awareness
National campaigns like F.A.S.T., Happy Hearts, and Heart Health Month.
Encouraging health professionals to have more conversations with people about their health.
Innovative clinical care
Improving patient care by reducing differences in treatment and integrating mental health support.
New clinics and virtual care options, like the Breathlessness Clinic.
Social model of health
Linking healthcare with social support, helping people access welfare and education to manage their long-term conditions.
Driving improvement
Monitoring progress and using national standards to improve care.
Piloting new programmes, like reducing heart failure deaths by 25% over the next 25 years.
Working to make long-lasting change through the State of Health in the City 2040 report.
Liverpool is committed to improving health and reducing inequalities, ensuring a healthier future for everyone.
Supporting Access to Physical Activity for All – Junior Park Run
In September 2024, The Mystery Junior Parkrun team collaborated with Mosspits Lane Primary School in Wavertree to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles among children and their families.
The school’s proactive promotion resulted in 76 new registrations, significantly higher than the usual weekly average of 12. The headliner event saw a record attendance of 220 young participants, including 61 first-timers, surpassing the previous record of 171.
Mark Finch, the event director, praised the collaboration, stating,
“We have a fantastic community supporting The Mystery Juniors Parkrun, and we are delighted that Mosspits are part of the family. The collaboration with the school has shown what can be achieved with committed schools.”
Vicky Brown, Head of P.E. at Mosspits Lane Primary School, highlighted the event’s benefits, noting,
“The Mystery juniors event is well established in our community. It is free, fun and a brilliant way for our pupils and families to be active. We will continue to encourage our pupils and families to be part of this fantastic event.”
Hannah Robinson, Chair of the Governors, added,
“We are delighted to support The Mystery Junior Parkrun and encourage our families to be involved. This supports our school ethos – Believe, Achieve, Succeed – and supports the health and wellbeing of our pupils.”
This successful partnership exemplifies how engaging local schools can significantly boost participation in public health initiatives, fostering healthier communities.
Junior Park Run promotion in schools
