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Local Update, 7 October 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.

Please note there will be no newsletter for the next 2 weeks due to staff annual leave. The next issue will be on Monday 28 October.

Inclusion Barnet news and events

Have you signed up to our Campaign for Disablity Justice? Every sign up helps. Campaign for Disability Justice [[link removed]]

A&E waiting for Mental Health support - your story matters

We often get requests from independent journalists seeking lived experience stories for various media outlets. The Lead [[link removed]], an "an editorially independent politics and culture magazine with a campaigning heart" is seeking stories from people who have experienced long waits for mental health support in A&E departments. If you're interested and feel comfortable doing so, then please get in contact directly with them at [[email protected]]. They promise not to publish anything without your consent.

Events and news from the web The power of no: prioritising your mental health at work (online workshop from Renew Counselling and Training), Thursday 10 October, 12.00 - 1.00pm

This online event will give you the tools you need to set healthy boundaries, say no assertively, and prevent burnout.

Book The power of no: prioritising your mental health at work [[link removed]]

Supporting mental health through nutrition free online webinar (from My Health Way and Jen McDiarmid), Thursday 10 October, 12.30 - 1.15pm

The role of nutrition is a key pillar when it comes to supporting all elements of health, including mental health. This webinar will discuss the foods that can help to lift our mood and reduce levels of internal stress which are crucial in supporting mental health.

Book Supporting mental health through nutrition free online webinar [[link removed]]

Hub Connections (in person event on World Mental Health Day from Barnet Wellbeing Service), Thursday 10 October, 11.00am - 2.00pm, The Meritage Centre, Church End, London NW4 4JT

There will be:

Personal stories and shared experiences from individuals who have lived through mental health challenges

Informative stalls from our partner organisations

A variety of engaging wellbeing activities

A complimentary lunch to enjoy while networking and connecting with others

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the services available in the community and learn more about mental health support.

Book Hub Connections [[link removed]]

Discrimination, fear, and mental health in LGBTQ+ communities (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 8 October, 6.00 - 7.00pm

Learn 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 LGBTQ+ communities [[link removed]]

Learning on the job: the history of mental health care (online talk from Royal College of Nursing Library and Museum), Thursday 10 October, 5.30 - 7.00pm

Before 1891, nursing staff in psychiatric hospitals received no formal training and were expected to learn on the job. Claire Chatterton explores the history of “asylum attendants”, and explains how registered nurses and staff without formal training continued to work alongside each other well into the twentieth century.

Book Learning on the job: the history of mental health care [[link removed]]

Wellness at work: simple practices for a calmer mind (online event from Vicky Kelly), Wednesday 9 October, 12.30 - 1.30pm

A free webinar designed to introduce you to practical mindfulness and grounding techniques that can be seamlessly integrated into your workday.

Book Wellness at work: simple practices for a calmer mind [[link removed]]

Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?

Let us know by emailing the details to [[email protected]]

Podcasts Podcast: Navigating grief on the way to healing and recovery (from Radio Milwaukee)

Grief and recovery are not about moving on, but about learning to carry our losses with us in a way that honors both the past and the present.

Listen to Podcast: Navigating grief on the way to healing and recovery [[link removed]]

Will AI make a good companion? – podcast (from the Guardian)

AI could give us new ways to tackle difficult problems, from young people’s mental health issues to isolation in care homes. It also raises challenging questions about the increasing role of tech in our personal lives.

Listen to Will AI make a good companion? [[link removed]]

Articles 3 unexpected benefits of good posture on mental health, by a psychologist (from Forbes)

We all know poor posture is bad for our health, but few realize just how deeply it impacts our daily lives.

Read 3 unexpected benefits of good posture on mental health, by a psychologist [[link removed]]

Specially designed video games may benefit mental health of children and teenagers (from Hopkins Medicine)

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center researchers reviewed studies of video games designed as mental health interventions for anxiety, depression and ADHD

Read Specially designed video games may benefit mental health of children and teenagers [[link removed]]

Nature as a mental health resource (from Stockholm University)

In his doctoral thesis, Yannick Klein has investigated the relationship between nature exposure and mental health in adults in Sweden, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. His studies shows that both active and passive exposure to nature have positive effects on mental health.

Read Nature as a mental health resource [[link removed]]

One Good Thing: why it’s well worth consciously creating opportunities for joy (from Stylist)

Life can be super stressful at times, so ignoring this fact and trying to force yourself to be happy will simply not work. Research shows that negative emotions outweigh positive ones at a ratio of 3:1 so making a conscious effort to increase our positive experiences, being kinder to yourself and finding joy during your day goes some way to at least maintain or hopefully tip the happiness balance.

Read One Good Thing: why it’s well worth consciously creating opportunities for joy [[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]]

Music To remember (online event from Music Heals Minds), Tuesday 8 October, 7.00pm

These weekly virtual recitals with Nandani “Nani” Sinha and guests stimulate remembrance and gently invite reflection through familiar and bellowed songs.

Book Music To remember [[link removed]]

International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 21 October, 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]]

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 [[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

[[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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