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Local Update, 3 March 2025
Barnet Voice for Mental Health
020 3475 1314
bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
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.
**Trigger warning - mention of suicide in this newsletter.**
Inclusion Barnet news and events
Reminder: Inclusion Barnet AGM
The next Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Inclusion Barnet will be held on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at 4pm until 5.30pm via Zoom. If you are a member, you will have already received an email invitation, please check your junk mail.
If you’d like to sign up as a member, it's FREE and takes just a few minutes: Sign up to Inclusion Barnet membership.
Events and news from the web
Suicide Prevention Manual now available
The Suicide Prevention Manual, created by The Network Enablement Service, is now available online. This manual was created by people with lived experience to support Barnet residents who are experiencing suicidal thoughts to stay safe.
Click here to access the manual: Suicide Prevention Manual
If you need support, please see the Useful links for mental health and wellbeing at the bottom of this newsletter.
Understanding the importance of sleep for our mental health and wellbeing (webinar from Mental Health Innovations), Wednesday 5 March, 11.00am - 12.00pm
This webinar will contain insights on the importance of sleep and the relationship between sleep and mental health.
Book Understanding the importance of sleep for our mental health and wellbeing
Powerful words: language to build children’s self-esteem (from Mindpsring Mental Health Alliance), Monday 10 March, 5.00 - 6.00pm
Social media can create unrealistic expectations that leave young people feeling discouraged, empty, and depressed -- and parents, caregivers, and educators need to know how to respond. Learn what to say to help young people feel positive about themselves, regardless of challenges they may face or how others may view them.
Book Powerful words: language to build children’s self-esteem
Building mental fitness for transgender resilience (webinar from Trans Matters Worldwide with Transgender London), Thursday 6 March 7.30 - Friday 7 March 8.30pm
Get some practical skills to manage your mental health and tools to keep you on track during your transition
Clear the fog! 3 keys to strengthen your brain during & after menopause (online masterclass from Elizabeth Curphey), Saturday 8 March, 10.00 - 11.00am
During the Masterclass you'll discover:
Practical insights into clearing mind fog, allowing you to approach each day with sharp mental clarity and focus.
Stress-Free Success: Learn how to create a more balanced and fulfilling life, even with the challenges of menopause, with powerful yet simple strategies to achieve more without adding to your stress levels.
Resilient Mindset: Discover daily habits that will reduce stress and foster a sense of calm and control, turning menopause into a time of mental and emotional resilience.
Book Clear the fog! 3 keys to strengthen your brain during & after menopause
Rainbow Mind's radical self-care workshops for activists (LGBTQIA+ BAPOC) (virtual workshop from Ranbow Mind), Wednesday 26 March, 2.00 - 4.00pm
Are you an LGBTQIA+ BAPOC (Black, Asian, Person of Colour) or racialised activist based in Europe? Join this online event to explore our shared connection and how we can take care of ourselves and each other with mindfulness.
Book Rainbow Mind's radical self-care workshops for activists (LGBTQIA+ BAPOC)
Introduction to mindfulness based stress reduction (online group from Community Bread), Saturday 15 March, 1.00 - 2.30pm
Reduce stress and anxiety, increase your overall sense of well-being
Mindsnaps online (online session from Steve Rose), Wednesday 5 March, 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), Saturday 22 March, 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.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Podcasts
Inside schizophrenia podcast: sensory overload and schizophrenia: what you need to know (from Psych Central)
Everyone has felt overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells — but for people with schizophrenia, sensory overload can be constant and intense.
Listen to Inside schizophrenia podcast: sensory overload and schizophrenia: what you need to know
Podcast: Nutritious food is good for your mood (from KSL News Radio)
Learn how nutritious food can improve our mental health.
Articles
Life got you down? Experts suggest ‘lemonading’ (from self.com)
These six simple tactics can shift your mindset—and make you happier.
The psychology of sports fandom: balancing wins and losses (from Psychology Today)
How sports fandom affects mental health and ways to stay balanced
Read The psychology of sports fandom: balancing wins and losses
I tried junk journaling for a month—here’s what happened (from Very Well Mind)
If you hate traditional journaling, here's an alternative that may work for you
Read I tried junk journaling for a month—here’s what happened
Older people in England report greater life satisfaction than before the Covid pandemic (from UCL)
Older people have greater life satisfaction and sense of life’s worth than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic, finds a new study led by a UCL researcher.
Read Older people in England report greater life satisfaction than before the Covid pandemic
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 March, 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 March, 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: barnet.depressionalliance@gmail.com
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: buildingfriendship@gmail.com. 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:petersartori168@gmail.com m: 07947 713306 Sandra Turner e: santana.turner01@gmail.com
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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