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Local Update, 3 February 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
Our Campaign for Disability Justice makes it to national news
The article below, by national news agency, Disability News Service, is based directly on feedback from our Campaign for Disability Justice supporters. It highlights how the wellbeing of Disabled people is already being affected by the possibility of cuts to benefits and how bad things will be if those cuts happen.
Final reminder: 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: Barnet Council need your voice: join their workshop
Have you experienced suicidal thoughts? Have you tried to end your life? Have you lost someone to suicide?
You can help influence Barnet's Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan and make a difference in our community.
We would like to understand your experiences and what more can be done to prevent suicide in the future.
About the focus group
- When: Wednesday 19th February, registration from 11am, workshop 11.30-1pm
- Where: The Network, 24 Hendon Lane, London, N3 1TR
- Compensation: Participants will receive a £22 gift card as a thank you for their time, lunch will also be provided after the discussion
Why participate?
- Share your experiences in a safe, supportive environment.
- Help guide the development of the Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan in Barnet and improve support for others.
- Receive compensation (a £22 voucher and lunch) for your time.
How do you know if this group is for you?
- You are an 18+ resident of Barnet.
- You have experienced suicidal thoughts, have tried to end your life, or have lost someone to suicide in the past 5 years.
- You feel safe and able to talk about your experiences. You’re comfortable seeking support or taking a break if needed during the session.
- You feel safe listening to other peoples’ experiences, which may be similar or different to your own.
To register interest visit the Eventbrite page here or scan the QR code above.
We are committed to making this event as inclusive as possible.
Contact [email protected] with any questions or accessibility needs.
Barnet Suicide Prevention Partnership
If you are struggling, support is available. Please see the Regular events in Barnet and Useful links sections at the bottom of this newsletter for more information.
Reminder: Experts by Experience
Are you a resident of Barnet with experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act?
Barnet Council are looking for residents with lived experience of this process to join as Experts by Experience as part of a panel that check the progress of Approved Mental Health Practitioners (also known as AMHPs) who are qualified to carry out assessments under the Mental Health Act.
By lived experience they mean direct experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act or being a carer or loved one of someone who has been assessed under the Mental Health Act.
The panel is planned for April 2025 and there are options to join online or in person.
They will prepare and support you to take part in the panel and you will be offered a voucher for taking part in line with their Reward and Recognition Policy.
To express interest or for more information please email [email protected]
Let's talk children's mental health (online session from Thought Bubbles), Wednesday 5 February, 1.00 - 2.00pm
Exploring the difficulties Children are experiencing in today's world and coping mechanisms that can help us support the young people in our lives.
Understanding and overcoming challenges to children's mental health (webinar from Mental Health Innovations), Monday 3 February, 2.00 - 3.00pm
To mark Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, Mental Health Innovations - the charity behind Shout: the UK's free, confidential and 24/7 text support service, and The Mix: information, advice and community for under-25s - is delighted to invite you to a session exploring the urgent challenges facing children's mental health.
Book Understanding and overcoming challenges to children's mental health
Understanding hypochondria and somatic symptom disorder (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 6 February, 4.00 - 5.00pm
Explore the mind/body connection and how psychological factors can contribute to real physical symptoms
Book Understanding hypochondria and somatic symptom disorder
How to build a whole-school culture of staff mental health (webinar from Teach Well Toolkit), Wednesday 5 February, 7.00 - 8.00pm
Presenting strategies that schools are using to develop a positive culture of staff mental wellbeing
Book How to build a whole-school culture of staff mental health
Mindsnaps online (online session from Steve Rose), Wednesday 5 February, 7.00 - 9.00pm
Using photography to enable discussions about feelings and emotions in a fun, safe format.
Women's mental health - for women with women (online workshop from C&D Learning Solutions Ltd), Friday 21 February, 9.00 - 10.00am
Come along and join like minded women interested in their mental health and wellbeing and together explore what can impact wellbeing and how we can work with it.
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.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]
Podcasts
Podcast: Look again: mental illness re-examined (from BC Schizophrenia Society)
A podcast on mental illness by the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society
Podcast: How To fail With Elizabeth Day (from Elizabeth Day)
Celebrating the things in life that haven't gone right and what we might learn from them
Articles
Mental Health Matters | Old dog, new tricks (from Film Stories)
The world can get shockingly dark and heavy, sometimes, and it seems that positive personal tasks may be a good way to temporarily forget the drama while focusing on yourself.
Dr Alex George on mental fitness: There are things we can all do to feel better (from Irish News)
The TV personality, author and podcaster is on a mission to empower us all to build resilience through daily habits
Read Dr Alex George on mental fitness: There are things we can all do to feel better
Walk and talk group improving men's health (from BBC)
A men's walking group said its weekly sessions could help take some pressure off the NHS by improving mental and physical wellbeing.
‘Be picky’: how to start therapy (from the Guardian)
Starting therapy can feel daunting. How does one afford it? How do you find the right therapist? What can you expect from treatment?
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 4 February, 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 3 February, 6.00pm
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
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