Column: ​NottAlone’s message of hope can make a profound difference in our county

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​Recently we saw the new NottAlone mental health support website launch on World Mental Health Day. This is a project that is close to my heart, as it is a vital step in continuing the conversations around mental health for our local community, whatever age you are and whatever you’re going through in life, writes Coun Scott Carlton, Nottinghamshire County Council cabinet member for communities and public health.

NottAlone began as a mental health resource for children and young people in 2021, and has proved immensely valuable over the past three years.

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But as we all know, mental health doesn’t discriminate based on age and therefore NottAlone has now undergone an extensive redevelopment and re-launched as a resource for people of all ages across

Coun Scott Carlton is Nottinghamshire County Council cabinet member for communities and public health. (Photo credit: Tracey Whitefoot)Coun Scott Carlton is Nottinghamshire County Council cabinet member for communities and public health. (Photo credit: Tracey Whitefoot)
Coun Scott Carlton is Nottinghamshire County Council cabinet member for communities and public health. (Photo credit: Tracey Whitefoot)

I attended the launch celebration event at Nottingham Central Library, a superb event that brought an inclusive, human feel to what can be a very difficult conversation. Even today, talking about mental health can be incredibly difficult, especially themes like suicide.

So, to have a celebratory, community event that allowed conversations to flow between attendees, stallholders and the NottAlone team, is a testament to the cultural environment that a project like NottAlone contributes to.

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Creating an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable and able to speak about their own mental ill health and challenges is essential to empower people to access the support that they need.

The NottAlone website brings together a wealth of information in a modern, accessible way, making it easy to find free, local support. Whether you need support for yourself or for a friend, loved one, or employee, NottAlone is designed to empower individuals to find help.

"Creating an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable and able to speak about their own mental ill health and challenges is essential to empower people to access the support that they need", says guest columnist Coun Scott Carlton."Creating an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable and able to speak about their own mental ill health and challenges is essential to empower people to access the support that they need", says guest columnist Coun Scott Carlton.
"Creating an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable and able to speak about their own mental ill health and challenges is essential to empower people to access the support that they need", says guest columnist Coun Scott Carlton.

The team worked closely with people who have lived experience of mental ill health to get right to the heart of issues that are impacting people locally, empowering them to help shape NottAlone.

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Between NottAlone’s partners, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS Integrated Care Board, there’s been a collective endeavour to ensure that everyone across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can get the support they need.

I have a deeply personal interest in the work that NottAlone does. I’ve spoken about my own challenges as a younger person to inspire hope in others experiencing their own struggles.

I know that a genuine message of hope can make a profound difference, and that recovery is absolutely possible. You are not alone.

Visit www.NottAlone.org.uk to find out more.