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Local Update, 5 February 2024

Barnet Voice for Mental Health [[link removed]]

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 Correction - Our AGM will be on Thursday 14 March 2024

Inclusion Barnet's next Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held online on Thursday 14 March 2024, from 4.30pm - 6pm. Apologies for previously listing this as on a Wednesday.

Communal online access will be available at South Friern Library for those who do not have internet access. Details to follow soon.

If you’re a member, please save the date and keep an eye out for an invite by email or post.

Events and news from the web Discrimination, fear, and mental health in LGBTQIA+ communities [free webinar] (from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 8 February, 6.00 - 7.00pm

LGBTQIA+ adults are three times more likely to experience a mental health disorder than people who identify as straight. Discuss what factors impact this statistic, how to find supportive professionals, ways of coping, and how to be a true ally in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist.

Book Discrimination, fear, and mental health in LGBTQIA+ communities [[link removed]]

Responding To mental health In teenagers - strategies for parents & carers (online group session from Ross Thompson - resilience & mindset life coach), Wednesday 7 February, 7.00pm

This session has been designed to empower parents and carers with essential strategies and suggestions to proactively support their teenager's mental health, whilst they wait for assessments and interventions from medical professionals to begin, such as CAMHS, the GP or Counselling.

Book Responding To mental health In teenagers - strategies for parents & carers [[link removed]]

Confidence, resilience and mental wellbeing for small business owners (Online event from RIFT Social Enterprise), Thursday 8 February, 2.00 - 3.00pm

Expert speakers will share practical strategies and tips to help you thrive in your business and maintain a healthy mindset.

Book Confidence, resilience and mental wellbeing for small business owners [[link removed]]

Food for thought: how your plate impacts your state of mind (Online event from Whole Food Holistic), Tuesday 6 February, 9.00 - 9.30am

Learn effective strategies to manage anxiety

Discover the connection between eating habits and mental well-being

Understand the importance of making informed choices for a positive impact on mental health

Gain knowledge on how to nourish your body and mind for a calm and balanced life

Receive guidance on how to embark on a journey towards a healthier, anxiety-free self

Book Food for thought: how your plate impacts your state of mind [[link removed]]

AI Art Therapy (online session from Conspicuis), Tuesday 6 February, 5.30 - 6.30pm

This session is meant for anyone curious about generative AI and its potential benefits for mental health.

In the first part of the session, participants will be guided through an AI-enhanced journaling technique.

In the second part of the session, AI artworks will be generated, representing the experience of the session.

No skills or knowledge needed, just an open mind.

Book AI Art Therapy [[link removed]]

Hub Connections – Closing the Care Gap (from Barnet Wellbeing Service)

Barnet Wellbeing Service will be hosting its quarterly Hub Connections event on 28th February 2024. They are working with the NCL Cancer Alliance to deliver a Public Awareness Campaign focusing on ‘Closing the Care Gap’ and raising awareness of the ‘Help Us Help You’ NHS campaign. Cllr Zahra Beg will be chairing the event, there will be expert speakers and an opportunity to network with local organisations. A light lunch will be provided. This is an in-person event, to register please use the following link.

[[link removed]]

Date: Wednesday 28th February 2024

Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm

Venue: The Meritage Centre, Church End, London NW4 4JT

Zero Suicide Alliance Lunch and Learn (from Barnet Wellbeing Service) Wednesday 7th February 2024 12.30 - 13.30pm online event

Barnet Wellbeing Service is holding a free lunch and learn session in partnership with Barnet Public Health. They will deliver the Zero Suicide Alliance training, where you will learn how to start a life saving conversation with someone considering suicide/

Registration link [[link removed]]

Working together to prevent suicide.

Podcasts Podcast: How to deal with seasonal depression (from It's (probably) not rocket science)

Exploring the cause, symptoms, and tips for both dealing with SAD and improving mental health

Listen to Podcast: How to deal with seasonal depression [[link removed]]

Secrets of the microbiome: the gut – podcast (from the Guardian)

The trillions of microbes living on and inside the human body are an important part of who we are, from mediating all of our interactions with the environment to determining our cancer risk and influencing who we fall for. And scientists are only just beginning to decipher the species of bugs we share our lives with, and how they shape us.

Listen to Secrets of the microbiome: the gut – podcast [[link removed]]

Articles A physician’s prescription: how to achieve your goals in 2024 (from Forbes)

"Don’t underestimate the power of fresh starts and their potential to change our lives. As an addiction medicine physician, I spend significant time working with patients on starting fresh. I counsel them on practical health tools and concepts such as triggers, dimmers, glimmers and shimmers. Used appropriately, these concepts can provide a powerful start to 2024."

Read A physician’s prescription: how to achieve your goals in 2024 [[link removed]]

Do storms really affect our mental health? (from Yahoo)

It's not difficult to appreciate how extreme weather, like storms, can affect our everyday lives and travel plans, but can they also have an impact on our wellbeing?

Read Do storms really affect our mental health? [[link removed]]

Colin Jackson: “Retirement gave me anxiety attacks” (from Loughborough University)

Olympic medallist Colin Jackson has revealed he suffered from mental health struggles following his retirement from international athletics.

Read Colin Jackson: “Retirement gave me anxiety attacks” [[link removed]]

Finding the bright side entails accepting that we will have bad days (From Parkinson's News Today)

Committing to positivity doesn't mean that we're always perfect

Read Finding the bright side entails accepting that we will have bad days [[link removed]]

Regular Events on the Web 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.

Book Online wellbeing workshops from Mid West Aries [[link removed]]

Online ADHD support group (From Tim Kiver Foundation), Tuesday 13 February, 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

Book Online ADHD support group [[link removed]]

International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 5 February, 5.30pm

A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.

Book International wellbeing support group [[link removed]]

Regular Events in Barnet Barnet Depression Alliance Peer Support Group

A local self-help group for people suffering from depression or depression with anxiety.

Meets twice a month – on a Tuesday evening in North Finchley and on a Monday evening online via Zoom. The group also runs social events throughout the year.

Address: North Finchley

Phone: 0754 118 7907

Email: [[email protected]]

Website: [[link removed]]

For more details of times and venue please telephone or email

Sanctuary in Barnet (from Mind in Enfield and Barnet)

Sanctuary in Barnet is a short-term crisis intervention and prevention service. They are open every day of the year, 4:30pm-10pm weekdays and 12-6pm weekends. They act as an A&E and Emergency services alternative, providing support to individuals in the Barnet Borough aged 18+.

More information on Sanctuary in Barnet [[link removed]]

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

Visit the Andy's Man Club Website [[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]]

Barnet Carers

Barnet Carers provides support and information for unpaid, informal, carers across the London Borough of Barnet. Includes yoga, meditation and mindfulness.

Read about and book Barnet Carers events [[link removed]]

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.

Do you feel isolated or lonely? Come along to Building Friendship. Free. remaining info repeats in main article." width="503" src=" 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

[[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]] (supporting disabled people in Barnet to access the benefits they are entitled to).

Touchpoint [[link removed]] (supports people experiencing any form of disability in Barnet to access the services and resources they need).

Healthwatch Barnet [[link removed]] (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 [[link removed]]

Useful links for mental health and wellbeing

Click on the title to go to the individual websites.

LOCAL

Mind in Barnet [[link removed]] - counselling Mind in Barnet Sanctuary [[link removed]] - find calm, make space, move forward Barnet Wellbeing Service [[link removed]]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 [[link removed]] - free online emotional support sessions Good Thinking [[link removed]] - free online Mental Wellbeing for London Kooth [[link removed]] - free, safe and anonymous online support for young people Qwell [[link removed]] - free online safe and confidential space to share & support

Shout [[link removed]]- free, 24/7 text messaging support - text SHOUT to 85258 Samaritans [[link removed]] - free phone & email support in a crisis Useful links from Sussex University [[link removed]] - 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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