Our work improving mental health services

Getting people involved in developing new plans for service delivery

A partnership between Healthwatch North Tyneside, Launchpad North Tyneside and the NHS has been set up to hear the views of local people with experience of using mental health services, to contribute to the development of plans for a new community-based approach to delivering mental health services in North Tyneside.

People can contribute by joining a focus group, taking part in surveys, or working directly with health professionals. If you want to get involved, then please register your interest here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/joinNTcommunitymentalhealth

Improving information – Mental Health Support in North Tyneside

In September 2025, we updated our information guide of groups and services in North Tyneside that support people’s mental health.

Find out more and download the leaflet

If you would like a printed leaflet please email info@hwnt.co.uk or call Healthwatch on 0191 263 5321.

Older people’s mental health

People told us they were concerned about the issue of older people’s mental health. In our 2018/19 annual survey, local people told us they wanted us to look at memory and dementia services and services for people with mental health issues (anxiety, depression and other ‘functional’ mental health issues).

We are working with North Tyneside’s Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Integration Board – which brings together service providers and decision makers involved in older people’s mental health services.

Our research involves hearing the experiences of service users, carers and family.

Supporting people in crisis

We published our report and recommendations on how to improve support for people experiencing a mental health crisis in November 2018. As a result of this work North Tyneside CCG commissioned a low-level crisis support service through Together in a Crisis for people who are unable to access the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Service.

We continue to work with North Tyneside’s Mental Health Integration Boards to ensure that service providers and commissioners respond to our report recommendations.

Read more about our work on supporting people in crisis

Sharing your experiences

If you would like to talk to someone about your experiences of using mental health services, please call Healthwatch on 0191 263 5321. Our office hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm. You can also email info@hwnt.co.uk or use our online contact form

We understand that talking about your experiences may affect your current mental health.

• If you need urgent help, call the Crisis on 0303 123 1146 or visit their webpage here
• If you or another person are harmed or at immediate risk of harm call 999
• The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk 24/7, call 116123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/

Our work on improving local mental health services was recognised nationally and was highly commended at the Healthwatch National Awards in October 2019 – read more here.