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Local Update, 6 November 2023
Barnet Voice for Mental Health
020 3475 1314
[email protected]
Welcome to our weekly newsletter about mental health services and support available in Barnet and beyond. Also bringing you updates on Inclusion Barnet mental health news. Produced by Ed Peston, Communications Assistant.
Inclusion Barnet news and events
IB member feedback: Eight questions for a chance to win a £20 Love2Shop voucher!
If you're a member of Inclusion Barnet, keep an eye out for an email or letter from us with a link to the survey. The survey closes at midnight on 30 November 2023.
Not a member? Sign up here and then you can share your views too: https://www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk/membership/
To make the offer even more appealing, you'll have a chance to win a £20 Love2Shop voucher in a prize draw.
Your input will help us keep fighting for equality for disabled people in Barnet, including those with long-term conditions or mental health issues.
Thanks for your support!
From all of us at Inclusion Barnet
_______________________________________________
A note about last year’s survey:
Last year, your feedback led to the following changes that we have implemented:
· We hosted a members' meeting at our offices, because you suggested it's more convenient for public transport.
· We now send printable copies of our monthly newsletter to all Barnet public libraries.
· Our newsletter is being posted to individuals who are unable to access it online.
· We invested in equipment so that all of our meetings are now hybrid, allowing people to join either online or in person.
· We have improved our website with better layout and information.
· We started up an Instagram account.
· We've added links in our newsletter to provide easy access to some of our other newsletters.
· Our new User Voice lead has started to build good relationship with people at Barnet Council to ensure our voices are heard where it counts.
Your input matters, and it drives positive changes. Thank you for your ongoing support!
New mental health charter launches
On 10 October, World Mental Health Day, Barnet Council announced their Mental Health Charter. It was designed with the Barnet Together alliance, along with input from residents and organisations across Barnet. The aim of the charter is to support the mental health of people living and working in Barnet.
As part of Barnet Together, Inclusion Barnet spoke to lots of representative non-profit community groups in the borough, including people with learning disabilities.
Our Healthy Heart Peer Coordinator, Judi Dumont-Barter attended the launch event, where everyone signed up to the charter and to taking action to bring it to fruition. Sadly, people with lived experience who were part of the development could not join but provided words of gratitude.
Find out more about the charter and its launch on the council's website: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/news/barnet-council-launches-mental-health-charter-world-mental-health-day
Job vacancy: Peer welfare benefits caseworker/supervisor
More information on Job Vacancy: Peer Welfare Benefits Caseworker/Supervisor
Job vacancy: Community engagement lead
Reminder - Job vacancy: Director of communities (peer role)
More information on job vacancy Director of Communities and apply
Events and news from the web
Mental health needs of LGBTQ+ people & an introduction to energy psychology (From Phoenix mental health services), Monday 6 November, 7.00 - 8.00pm
During this event, they will explore the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face in relation to mental health and well-being. They will delve into the importance of understanding and supporting their specific needs, and how energy psychology can be a powerful tool in promoting overall mental wellness.
Book Mental health needs of LGBTQ+ people & an introduction to energy psychology
Free workshop: managing wellbeing and mental health recovery (From Mid West Aries), Tuesday 7 November, 2.00 - 4.00pm
In this workshop you will build your knowledge of recovery and well-being in mental health and improve an understanding of how the mental health service works. You will explore how to use the CHIME (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment) model as a practical recovery tool to maintain recovery and well-being.
Book Free workshop: managing wellbeing and mental health recovery
Community navigator trial
Make social connections and reduce loneliness.
Would you like to join a research study to help find a new way to support people to make social connections and reduce feelings of loneliness?
The Community Navigators Programme aims to support people using community mental health services who are experiencing low mood and loneliness.
It is part of a clinical trial taking place at various NHS Trusts including:-
Barnet, Enfied and Haringey
If you decide to take part, you may be offered support from a Community Navigator. This will involve receiving support to make social connections (e.g. finding new groups, connecting with friends, and family). Half of the participants will be allocated a Navigator, and the other half will receive written information on local social activities, and both groups will be offered their usual care.
Want to find out more?
Speak to your usual clinician from the team
Brent: Harness Community Mental Health Hub.
Contact our study researcher:
Gamze Evlat, [email protected] Phone/text 07510 239172
Check out study website and leaflet
www.ucl.ac.uk/priment/our-collaborations/community-navigator-trial/about-study
Please note: the study is open only to clients of currently participating mental health services. You can join the study via a referral from your clinician, or by contacting the research team who can answer any questions you have.
Relationships, family, and mental health [free webinar] (From Mindspring mental health alliance), Thursday 9 November, 6.00 - 7.00pm
The complicated nature of mental illnesses can make relationships challenging, and caregiver stress — the emotional and physical stress of caregiving — is common. Learn strategies to set boundaries, respond to difficult behavior, and manage your own stress in this one-hour webinar with a licensed therapist.
Book Relationships, family, and mental health [free webinar]
The science behind mental illness [free webinar] (From Mindspring mental health alliance)
Diagnosing mental illness isn't like diagnosing other chronic diseases. Are mental health disorders best understood as physical illnesses that affect the brain? Or do these disorders belong in a category all their own? Explore the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental illness and separate myths & facts in this often-misunderstood topic.
How to build a mental health routine (From Springatlas), Tuesday 7 November, 7.00 - 8.00pm
In this working group, Dr. Selda Koydemir will:
assist you in understanding your current wellbeing practices
present practical steps to help you initiate and maintain your own mental health routine
share best practices for enhancing wellbeing
Lunch and learn: how to protect your mental health as a founder (From Enterprise nation), Friday 10 November, 12.00 - 12.30pm
In this Lunch and Learn, Dr Gracie McLaven will share her expertise to empower you to have a better understanding of the impact of poor mental health in the workplace.
She will also provide you with information on how to notice if your mental health has been impacted. For example, whether you’re experiencing high levels of stress and burnout, as well as providing meaningful strategies to improve your mental health.
Book Lunch and learn: how to protect your mental health as a founder
Medication for your mind saturday group - online (From Dawn rising community interest company), Saturday 11 November, 1.00 - 2.00pm
This group is for those prescribed mental health medication to talk about how they feel and learn new things to support their wellbeing.
Podcasts
TWS Sports Podcast (From TWS)
This podcast is hosted by autistic students from a special school in the UK. Each week they interview famous sportsmen and women and chat to them about their career.
Health Check Podcast: How do mental health apps work? (From the Straits Times)
Mental health applications have grown in popularity over the years, with more employers turning to such apps to help improve their employees’ mental well-being.
Listen to Health Check Podcast: How do mental health apps work?
Articles
Just 22 minutes moderate exercise a day can offset negative effects of sitting down, study finds (From Sky News)
Scientists conclude it only takes a short while to undo the damage a sedentary lifestyle causes, and increase the chances of living longer.
3 ways organizations can prioritize managers' mental health (From Forbes)
When frontline managers begin feeling too much responsibility over their employees’ well-being, this can compromise their own mental health and undermine the productivity of their team.
Read 3 ways organizations can prioritize managers' mental health
The power of pets: 9 in 10 remote workers say pets improve their mental health (From HR News)
Data reveals pets have a significantly positive impact on remote and hybrid workers’ mental and physical health, with roughly 91% saying that caring for pets has improved their remote working experience.
Read The power of pets: 9 in 10 remote workers say pets improve their mental health
SAD: Weatherman Derek Brockway on combating winter sadness (From the BBC)
Around two million people across the UK have SAD, also known as "winter depression" due to it being amplified in the winter.
It can have a big impact, with the main symptoms being similar to those of depression.
Read SAD: Weatherman Derek Brockway on combating winter sadness
Skateboarding film wins plaudits for focus on mental health (From the Guardian)
Barney Page rode almost 1,000 miles from John o’Groats to Land’s End after his friend took his own life
Read Skateboarding film wins plaudits for focus on mental health
Regular Events on the Web
Laughing fit - a weekly online laughter class for health & happiness (From Jon Bockelmann-Evans), Tuesday 7 November, 8.00 - 8.30pm
A 30-minute laughter class filled with joy to boost your physical, mental and emotional health and leave you feeling great!
Book Laughing fit - a weekly online laughter class for health & happiness
Poetry therapy (From Nation's Finest), Monday 6 November, 9.30 - 10.30pm
Join this class and de-stress with poetry! You will learn the structure of micro poems such as American Sentence, Haiku, and Sijo. Examples included for each form. Second half of class will be used for writing, sharing your work is optional.
Mindly weekly - practical tips on mental wellbeing & general anxiety (From Step8up Mindly), Tuesday 7 November, 12.30 - 1.00pm
Join this session each week to know how easy it is to manage day to day mental wellbeing, especially general anxiety, using methods which are practical and easy.
Book Mindly weekly - practical tips on mental wellbeing & general anxiety
Online wellbeing workshops from Mid West Aries
Offering a range of free courses online via Zoom. Anyone over the age of 18 with an interest in mental health and well-being can sign up for the courses.
Psychologically informed reflective practice for parents (From Jounita Wright), Thursday 9 November, 7.00 - 10.00pm
This is a free online event for any parent/carer of adolescents aged 13-20 concerned with behaviour change.
Book Psychologically informed reflective practice for parents
Online ADHD support group (From Tim Kiver Foundation), Tuesday 14 November, 7.30 - 9.00pm
A safe place for anyone interested in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in ANY way to share experiences and learn more about:
• What ADHD is
• How ADHD affects peoples every day life
• Ways to manage ADHD symptoms
• How to seek medical help for ADHD
• The Facts and Fiction that surround ADHD
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 6 November, 5.30pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
Regular Events in Barnet
Community wellbeing support (From Meridian Wellbeing, Mind Enfield and Barnet and Colindale Communities Trust)
Providing mental health and wellbeing support at the heart of the community.
Feeling worried about life or struggling?
Anxious?
Just need someone to talk to confidentially?
The cafe will provide:
Day time and evening access
One to one support from trained mental health wellbeing empowerment workers
Group workshops and training
Emotional health checks and personal action and safety plans
A safe space to be and crisis support out of hours
Help to build your resilience and self-management
Drop into the old library, every Thursday:
12pm - 5pm - emotional health check drop in
3pm - 5pm - crisis and well-being support drop-in
5pm - 8.pm - appointment-based crisis and well-being support
Helpline for immediate emotional support and enquiries 020 8906 7503.
For more information please drop into the Old Library on the Concourse, NW9 5XA or call Colindale Communities Trust (CCT) on 020 8200 3014
Andy's Man Club in Barnet, Every Monday at the Meritage Centre, 7.00 - 9.00pm
Andy's Man Club run talking groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm, have a storm brewing in life or just want to meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another. No referral, no registration and no charge. Even the brew and biscuits are free!
The Meritage Centre,
Church End,
London
NW4 4JT
Meridian Wellbeing in Barnet
A range of events and activities in Barnet and online including Barnet Wellbeing Hub, Barnet IAPT, Wellbeing Cafe, Wellbeing Workshops, Chinese Wellbeing Services, Supportive Online Communities
More information about Meridian Wellbeing events and activities
Barnet Carers
Barnet Carers provides support and information for unpaid, informal, carers across the London Borough of Barnet. Includes yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Building Friendship
Building Friendship is a free weekly drop in every Friday for those with mental health difficulties.
Meet at East Barnet Baptist Church hall, EN4 8PS. Come along for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat between 10am and 12noon.
For more information email: [email protected]. Or leave a message with your name and contact number on 020 8449 5320.
Weekly online social group from Mind in Enfield and Barnet, Fridays from 6.00 - 7.00pm
This group takes place by Zoom, and the session is broken up into a few casual activities such as:
Catch up about each other’s week
Play a quiz where everybody provides 3 questions
Share and discuss TV, movies and news that has inspired us this week
If you would like to attend, please email Sam Brown at [email protected]
Mind and Mood Support Group
We celebrated our eighth successful year on 4th January 2023 and have a group of regular attendees (usually around 6, but this may vary). The first half of the meeting our Guest Speaker speaks (on the day we have one) for approx. 20 mins, following this members are free to ask questions. Then half-way through, about 6.45 we have a comfort break with tea, coffee and biscuits. The second half, we all share our experiences of where we are since the last meeting.
The group is facilitated by Sandra Turner and Peter Sartori, both with considerable experience of the mental health system.
Since the Pandemic. Our group has gone through necessary changes. One week our group meets via Zoom from 6-7.15pm. Alternate wks. we meet, in person at 55 Christchurch Avenue 6-7.30pm. No-one is allowed to join our meetings without prior arrangement.
If there is anything else you wish to know, please do not hesitate to contact:
Peter Sartori e: mailto:[email protected] m: 07947 713306 Sandra Turner e: [email protected]
If you wish to subscribe to our monthly “Creativity & Wellbeing Newsletter” please email Sandra with “Subscribe to Newsletter” in the subject of your email.
About Inclusion Barnet
We are a Peer-Led Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO).
Nearly all of our directors and staff have lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and/or long-term health conditions.
We believe that learning to use our lived experience for social change is a skill. We have become experts in harnessing the lived experience of our staff, members, volunteers and the people who use our services to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services.
Other services run by Inclusion Barnet that you might be interested in are:
Benefits Advice Service (supporting disabled people in Barnet to access the benefits they are entitled to).
Touchpoint (supports people experiencing any form of disability in Barnet to access the services and resources they need).
Healthwatch Barnet (an independent, statutory organisation dedicated to improving health and social care services in Barnet).
For more information about the wider range of other work we do please visit our website www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Useful links for mental health and wellbeing
Click on the title to go to the individual websites.
LOCAL
- Mind in Barnet - counselling
- Mind in Barnet Sanctuary - find calm, make space, move forward
- Barnet Wellbeing Service
- BEH-MHT* crisis helpline 0800 151 0023 24/7, 365 days a year.
(*BEH-MHT = Barnet, Enfield Haringay - Mental Health Trust)
LONDON & NATIONAL
- The Help Hub - free online emotional support sessions
- Good Thinking - free online Mental Wellbeing for London
- Kooth - free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
- Qwell - free online safe and confidential space to share & support
Shout - free, 24/7 text messaging support - text SHOUT to 85258 - Samaritans - free phone & email support in a crisis
- Useful links from Sussex University - lots of useful links to MH resources
Independent Living Centre, c/o Barnet & Southgate College,
7 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4BR
Inclusion Barnet is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Registered Charity Number: 1158632
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