No images? Click here
Local Update, 20 January 2025
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
Time is running out – say NO to disability benefit cuts!
If disability benefits are cut under Government plans to be announced this Spring, millions more Disabled people will be pushed into even worse poverty.
Please support our Campaign for Disability Justice and write to your local MP today to oppose cuts.
Use the pre-written template below and follow these three simple steps:
1. Enter your address
2. Add your name (edit message if you wish)
3. and hit send!
Thank you for your support.
Events and news from the web
Reminder: Mental Health Resident Representative for the Barnet Council Adult Social Care Involvement Board
Barnet Council Adult Social Care are recruiting for a second Mental Health Representative to join their existing Mental Health representative on the Involvement Board. If you are a resident of Barnet who is over 18 years old, and have experience of using mental health services, they are keen to hear from you. They are particularly keen to hear from people who have lived experience of mental health social work services.
The Involvement Board is made up of Barnet residents with lived experience across different areas of adult social care. The Involvement Board oversee the engagement and coproduction work across adult social care and where residents use their lived experience to help shape and design social care services.
The link to the form to apply to become their next Involvement Board Representative for Mental Health is below. The deadline for applications is 7th February.
Express your interest here: Expression of interest: Mental Health Resident Representative for the Involvement Board
To learn more and ask any questions, get in touch at [email protected].
Peer support in mental health webinar: evidence, experiences & insights (webinar from The Mental Elf), Monday 20 January, 2.00 - 4.30pm
Explore the role of peer support in mental health & gain fresh insights into the current national landscape, guided by compelling research.
Book Peer support in mental health webinar: evidence, experiences & insights
Creating a low-stress environment and minimizing crises (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 21 January, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Learn strategies to create and maintain a low-stress environment, identify & respond to ‘red flags’, and communicate in times of crisis
Book Creating a low-stress environment and minimizing crises
Living well with bipolar and schizophrenia (online support group from Peer Voices), Wednesdays, 9.00 - 10.00pm
This group offers a safe, confidential space for individuals to share experiences, gain insights, and develop coping strategies for managing mental health.
Women's health: how to thrive (online event from VOICES - Women Who Speak), Monday 20 January 7.00 - 7.45pm
Covering topics such as nutrition, mental health, sleep, and self-care tips to help you thrive in all aspects of your life.
Conflict management and problem-solving in relationships (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 23 January, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Confronting problems can be challenging. Heightened emotions, irrational thinking, impaired judgment, and distorted perceptions impact our ability to solve problems quickly. Learn strategies for effective problem-solving and conflict management
Book Conflict management and problem-solving in relationships
Understanding compassion fatigue & burnout (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 22 January, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Does compassion cause suffering? When does it go too far and how can caregivers protect their own wellbeing? Learn the warning signs, who is at risk, and how to restore your emotional energy in this one-hour seminar.
More than memory: understanding brain change & dementia from the inside out (online event from Compassion Works LLC), Thursday 23 January, 6.30 - 8.00pm
This workshop is for family members, friends, care partners, or anyone in the community who is concerned about or caring for someone living with cognitive impairment or dementia.
Book More than memory: understanding brain change & dementia from the inside out
Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS (online session from Regina Beach), daily Monday - Thursday, 12.30 - 1.00pm
A 30-minute meditation, gentle movement, and breathwork session for people with Multiple Sclerosis and related conditions
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]
Podcasts
Podcast explores surprising link between posture and mental health (from WGME)
Poor posture is more than just a physical issue—it can significantly impact mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being.
Listen to Podcast explores surprising link between posture and mental health
Why stress and trauma are at the heart of autoimmune diseases [Podcast] (from Kevin MD)
Discover the profound connections between chronic stress, systemic inequities, and immune health, particularly for women and Black women. Learn practical self-care strategies, the importance of emotional liberation, and how to challenge harmful societal narratives.
Listen to Why stress and trauma are at the heart of autoimmune diseases [PODCAST]
Articles
'What is it about singing in a choir that is so good for one's mental health?' (from RTE)
Choir is a source of solace, mindfulness, release, motivation, endorsement, escape, affirmation, fun, joy; it reduces the worries, the fears, the clutter of daily life.
Read 'What is it about singing in a choir that is so good for one's mental health?'
Positive affirmation benefits as Mel Giedroyc shares what she’s told Sue Perkins for 38 years (from Yahoo!)
Former The Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc has revealed that she has told her former co-host and close friend Sue Perkins the same positive affirmation every year for 38 years.
Read Positive affirmation benefits as Mel Giedroyc shares what she’s told Sue Perkins for 38 years
New Year’s resolutions: getting a mentally healthy start to 2025 (from Mental Health Foundation)
For many of us, the start of a new year means self-improvement and the promise of, ‘new year, new me’. This mindset often fuels our New Year’s resolutions. This can help us stay motivated during January, which can be a tough month following the holidays, with spring still feeling far away. But the expectations and pressure we put on ourselves aren’t always helpful.
Read New Year’s resolutions: getting a mentally healthy start to 2025
The anxiety secret: how the world’s leading life coach stopped living in fear (from the Guardian)
Famous for her work with Oprah Winfrey, Martha Beck is a bestselling author and self-help superstar. But for 60 years she was anxious and terrified - until she found a simple, uplifting answer.
Read The anxiety secret: how the world’s leading life coach stopped living in fear
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.
Music To remember (online event from Music Heals Minds), Tuesday 21 January, 7.00pm
These weekly virtual recitals with Nandani “Nani” Sinha and guests stimulate remembrance and gently invite reflection through familiar and bellowed songs.
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 20 January, 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+.
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.
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.
Fortnightly meetings will now be held at Friern Barnet Community Library,
Friern Barnet Road, N11 3DS.
Bus routes 221, 382 & 43 stop nearby.
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
- 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
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
Sign up to this newsletter
If this newsletter was forwarded on to you, why not sign up and get the next edition delivered straight to your inbox?
Sign up here https://www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk/barnet-voice-for-mental-health/
You are receiving this email as a member or friend of Inclusion Barnet, or because you signed up to receive it. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please:
Unsubscribe from this newsletter
