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Local Update, 19 February 2024
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.
Events and news from the web
Understanding schizophrenia [free webinar] (From Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 21 February, 4.00 - 5.00pm
Schizophrenia is a lifelong illness that changes how you think, feel, and act. A combination of hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and behavior can be debilitating. Explore the causes, symptoms, co-occurring disorders, and treatment of schizophrenia, and gain practical tips for managing symptoms and supporting loved ones with a licensed therapist.
Basics of eating disorders (webinar from Connections for Mental Wellness), Wednesday 21 February, 6.00 - 7.30pm
Is anorexia the only eating disorder? Is it only young women in their teen years who develop eating disorders? Is it an attention-seeking behavior? Is it strictly a behavior, or are there medical considerations? Can’t someone just snap out of it?
Join therapist and Connections for Mental Wellness Steering Committee member Lisa Tutskey to learn the basics of eating disorders, myths and facts, and what to do if you suspect someone is struggling with an eating disorder.
Smile with chronic illness! Mid-morning session (online peer support from Rogue Debby CIC), Tuesday 20 February, 10.30 - 11.30am
If you're stuck on finding 'smiles' in your life, this group will remind your face how those muscles work again while you help each other live your best life!
Laughing Fit - a weekly online laughter class for health & happiness (online group session from Jon Bockelmann-Evans), Tuesday 20 February, 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
Supporting children’s mental health with phoenix wellbeing (interactive online session from Dyslexia Sparks), Thursday 22 February, 10.00 - 11.00am
Would you like a better understanding of how relaxation can support mental health? You have the opportunity to learn tips that can change the relationship with your children to lead a calmer and more confident life?
Join Dyslexia Sparks’ FREE online parent/carer support group – Thursday 22th February 10am to 11am – for a workshop focused on supporting mental health with Phoenix Wellbeing.
Book Supporting children’s mental health with phoenix wellbeing
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.
Date: Wednesday 28th February 2024
Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: The Meritage Centre, Church End, London NW4 4JT
‘Advantageous' Art Exhibition: A celebration of age friendly Barnet
Age UK Barnet is launching an 'Advantageous' exhibition at the Arts Depot in North Finchley from March 6th to 23rd.
The exhibition features a variety of art, including paintings, pottery, knitting, and poems, aimed at raising awareness of ageist attitudes and challenging negative stereotypes of older people, particularly those with dementia.
Some paintings will be sold to raise funds for Age UK Barnet.
Podcasts
Podcast: Poor sleep and our mental health (from Joy Breakfast)
It is estimated that around 33% of the world’s population have trouble getting a good night’s sleep. At a basic level, we know that poor sleep leads to less energy and a reduced ability to concentrate, but what does poor sleep do to our mental health?
Podcast: Psychoanalysis’s past—and future (from City Journal)
Jonathan Clarke joins Brian C. Anderson to discuss the value and limitations of psychoanalysis.
Articles
Ex-offenders determined to break stigma around mental health begin production on new film (From London News Online)
Young offenders from areas hit by gang violence have started production on their new movie which shines a light on mental health issues with the help of service users from psychiatric hospitals.
Read Ex-offenders determined to break stigma around mental health begin production on new film
Conservative MP 'nervous' revealing suicide attempt but overwhelmed with support (from ITV)
A Conservative MP was "nervous" speaking about his attempted suicide and revealed some of his political colleagues struggled at times with their mental health.
Elliot Colburn, who represents Carshalton and Wallington, said he felt "privileged" to be an MP despite the ups and downs of the job.
He shared his experience at Prime Minister’s Questions and told ITV News London he only decided to do it a few hours before.
Read Conservative MP 'nervous' revealing suicide attempt but overwhelmed with support
The "not good enough" story we keep telling ourselves (from Psychology Today)
Here's how to move toward feeling self-acceptance.
Carl Frampton urges young people to talk about mental health (from the BBC)
Carl Frampton has urged young people to open up and talk about their mental health struggles.
The former boxer was speaking at the launch of a children's mental health and suicide awareness video created by pupils from four County Antrim schools.
Read Frampton urges young people to talk about mental health
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.
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 19 February, 5.30pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
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: http://www.barnetdepressionalliance.org/
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+.
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 [email protected] or call 0208 906 7506.
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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