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Local Update, 21 April 2025

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.

Events and news from the web My mental health - exploring my identity (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Tuesday 22 April, 2.00 - 4.00pmMy mental health - exploring my identity

A workshop looking at how our mental health can impact on our identity and exploring things that can help us improve our sense of self and wellbeing.

Book My mental health - exploring my identity [[link removed]]

Ethnic mental health carers forum (online discussion forum from Matthew Mckenzie), Friday 25 April, 10.30am - 12.00pm

Online Group aimed at ethnic unpaid Carers of those going through mental ill health.

Book Ethnic mental health carers forum [[link removed]]

London autism hub - supporting mental health in school (online workshop from Contact - for families with disabled children), Tuesday 22 April, 7.00 - 9.00pm

This two hour workshop is for parent/carers of autistic children or adults based in London

The workshop will cover:

The reasons why school can be hard for many autistic children and young peopleConsider the impact of mental health challenges on educationHow schools and parents/carers can work together to support mental healthTips for initiating conversations about mental health with school

Book London autism hub - supporting mental health in school [[link removed]]

The effects of tech on mental health (online discussion from Mine.Body.Whole), Thursday 24 April, 7.00 - 8.30pm

A discussion on the pros and cons of tech on mental health, sharing tips for maintaining a healthy balance, and exploring ways to use technology mindfully.

Book The effects of tech on mental health [[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]]

Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Tuesday 20 May, 7.00 - 10.00pm

An opportunity to explore the power of writing for self-care and personal growth.

Book Beyond the page [[link removed]]

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.

Book Monthly ME/CFS peer support group [[link removed]]

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

Book Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS [[link removed]]

Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?

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

Podcasts Podcast: Can better buildings boost mental health? (from BIM Plus)

A podcast delving into the role the built environment can play in supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.

Listen to Podcast: Can better buildings boost mental health? [[link removed]]

Social connection & the loneliness epidemic: SEHD podcast (from Fairfield University)

A podcast exploring "the loneliness epidemic" — a widely recognized public health issue affecting students and policymakers alike.

Read Social connection & the loneliness epidemic: SEHD podcast [[link removed]]

Articles How opera singing is helping people to manage chronic pain (from BBC)

People living with a variety of health conditions are being taught techniques used by opera singers in an effort to manage their persistent pain.

Read How opera singing is helping people to manage chronic pain [[link removed]]

Gardening really is good for you, science confirms (from ZME Science)

Spending time among soil and sprouts might do more for your health than you think. A sweeping new study of studies (an “umbrella review”) confirms what gardeners have long known deep down. That getting your hands dirty can actually make you feel better, think more clearly, and even live longer.

Read Gardening really is good for you, science confirms [[link removed]]

Why you don't have happier dreams (from Psychology Today)

We know quite a lot about negatively toned dreams because of their relationship to mental health disorders.

The most frequently reported highly positive dreams were joy, lust, calmness, surprise, and playfulness.

Read Why you don't have happier dreams [[link removed]]

Scientists to see if cold water dips help PTSD (from BBC)

Many people swear that cold water swimming has a positive effect on their mental health and wellbeing.

Now research is being done to see if there is science behind the theory that taking an ice-cold dip can help tackle post-traumatic stress disorder, external (PTSD).

Read Scientists to see if cold water dips help PTSD [[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]]

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.

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=" 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

[[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

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

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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