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Local Update, 14 April 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
Accessible versions of the Government Green Paper on proposed benefit cuts are now available online: Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK
- a Braille version
- a large print 20 point version
- an audio CD
- a printed copy of the Easy Read version
- a printed copy of the full publication
Printed versions can be requested via the website link above.
Events and news from the web
Barnet Service User and Carer Forum
Date: 17th April 2025
Runs on the third Thursday of every month
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Guest: Natalie Fox, Deputy Chief Executive
Topic: Natalie is looking forward to hearing about your experiences using their services and will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Bianca and Tola will also be introducing Barnets 'Local Health Team Campaign'
They will also be joined by Carol Moyo, Managing Director of Barnet Mental Health Services.
Please note – both Carol and Natalie Fox are joining online.
Barnet Mental Health services want to hear what you have to say about Adult Mental Health services. Their forum encourages and promotes service users and carers working alongside staff to improve services.
They have speakers arranged each month and a chat about other topics attendees may want to discuss. They also share useful information about things happening in Barnet.
Venue: In person at The Network, 24 Hendon Lane, London, N3 1TR
OR
Microsoft Teams, join by clicking the link or entering the details below. MS Teams link is also available on the BEH trust website.
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only) +44 20 3321 5208,,325359623# United Kingdom, London
Phone Conference ID: 325 359 623#
Barnet Forum Contacts
Jessica Lashko, Ella Goldberg, or Ioanna Xenophontes [email protected]
My mental health - having hope (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Wednesday 16 April, 10.00am - 12.00pm
A workshop exploring where we find hope and how having hope can benefit our mental health.
Responding in a mental health emergency (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 15 April, 6.00 - 7.00pm
We know what to do when someone breaks their arm: brace it and go to the hospital. But what should you do when someone is experiencing a mental health emergency? Learn what causes crisis situations and the warning signs, how to respond, and what to do once the crisis has ended in this one-hour seminar.
Talking to children about alcohol and substance use in the family (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Monday 21 April, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Having a loved one with alcohol or drug dependance affects everyone in the family and can be especially confusing for children. Learn how to talk about caregiver/relative substance and alcohol use with kids, how to tailor the discussion to the child's developmental stage, and how to create a supportive environment where children feel safe to express their concerns and ask questions.
Book Talking to children about alcohol and substance use in the family
Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Tuesday April 15, 7.00 - 10.00pm
An opportunity to explore the power of writing for self-care and personal growth.
The Reflection Network
Mental health charity The Reflection Network is looking for partners in Barnet to deliver their offer of free psychotherapy for young people aged 18-25 of Muslim backgrounds. The Reflection Network's psychotherapists, who are of Muslim heritage, are experienced in working with young people with a range of difficulties in a way which understands the significance of their faith and cultural heritage. Barnet partners would provide a room suitable for delivering therapy, and referrals from their community. Partners might be VSCE, colleges or public sector - The Reflection Project can adapt its approach in response to the needs of the community.
Contact: Dr Rachel Abedi, Director, The Reflection Project [email protected] or message 07968796490
Website: thereflectionproject.org
Monthly ME/CFS peer support group (online support group from Brain Health Breakthrough CIC), Tuesday 13 May, 2.00 - 3.00pm
Peer support sessions for people who have or care for someone who has a diagnosis of ME/CFS.
Optimise emotional resilience through neuroscience & psychology (webinar from Dr. Sajid), Sunday 20 April, 6.30 - 8.30pm
Unlock resilience using neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. Learn practical tools to navigate emotions and thrive through adversity.
Book Optimise emotional resilience through neuroscience & psychology
Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS (online event from Regina Beach), 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: Great exchanges, a dialogue between science & community (from Portobello Radio)
A dialogue between research scientists and members of the commmunity with lived experience about issues affecting everyday life.
Listen to Podcast: Great exchanges, a dialogue between science & community
Podcast: Icebergs with Kemah Bob (from Keep it Light Media)
Comedian Kemah Bob's journey beyond the surface into self-discovery and self-acceptance
Articles
World Bipolar Day - 'Telling others has been positive' (from Braintree and Witham Times)
"Managing bipolar is partly about learning from what went wrong from previous episodes, what were the causes, and what you can do for both the present and future."
The habit that transforms mental health and relationships (from Rolling Out)
How gratitude can rewire your brain for happiness
Read The habit that transforms mental health and relationships
Therapeutic knitting as a strategy to reduce anxiety in nursing students (from Nursing Times)
A knitting club where students and staff got together to make hats for babies in need provided an enjoyable and meaningful experience which improved wellbeing.
Read Therapeutic knitting as a strategy to reduce anxiety in nursing students
The warrior power of laughter (from Psychology Today)
Laughter has its evolutionary roots in creating social bonds that help individual and group survival.
Laughter increases endorphin production, which eases pain and encourages a sense of well-being.
Positive outcomes of laughter include boosted immunity, pain relief, muscle relaxation, and easing of stress.
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 21 April, 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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