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Local Update, 5 May 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 Mental health online: workplace mental health (online event from Ajuda Limited), Thursday 8 May, 10.00am - 12.00pm

Get to know more about implementing cultural changes to improve your workplace mental health.

Book Mental health online: workplace mental health [[link removed]]

25/26 University Mental Health Charter Programme - information session (online event from Student Minds), Tuesday 6 May, 2.00 - 3.00pm

This event is for those interested in learning about or joining the community of universities committed to embedding a whole university approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Book 25/26 University Mental Health Charter Programme - information session [[link removed]]

Improving mental health and wellbeing with creative arts (online seminar from NIHR ARCs), Wednesday 7 May, 1.00 - 2.00pm

A seminar exploring the healing power of creative arts.

Book Improving mental health and wellbeing with creative arts [[link removed]]

Understanding family reactions to mental illness (webinar from Mindpsring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 8 May, 4.00 - 5.00pm

Explore the caregiving experience, the stages of emotional response, and learn how to respond and cope in this one-hour seminar

Book Understanding family reactions to mental illness [[link removed]]

Understanding compassion fatigue & burnout (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 6 May, 6.00 - 7.00pm

Does compassion cause suffering? When does it go too far and how can you protect your own wellbeing? Learn the warning signs, who is at risk, and how to restore your emotional energy.

Book Understanding compassion fatigue & burnout [[link removed]]

Pet loss & mental health – a gentle community workshop (online workshop from Leto's Light), Monday 12 May, 7.00 - 8.00pm

Pet loss is a deeply personal grief—but you don’t have to go through it alone. This online gathering is a mix of reflection, discussion, and shared community support.

Book Pet loss & mental health – a gentle community workshop [[link removed]]

Exploring self-care (workshop from Mid West Aries), Wednesday 7 May, 10.00am - 12.00pm

A workshop exploring the importance of daily self care to build resilience and improve mental health.

Book Exploring self-care [[link removed]]

Substance abuse and the impact on families (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Monday 5 May, 6.00 - 7.00pm

Explore the impact of substance use on family dynamics and the emotional and psychological effects on children. This webinar is designed for caregivers, parents, mental health professionals and educators, and will include tips for effective communication and boundary setting, practical strategies for supporting recovery, and tools for creating a supportive family environment.

Book Substance abuse and the impact on families [[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]]

Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?

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

Podcasts Campus podcast: How to look after yourself in higher education (from Times Higher Education)

At a time when higher education feels under attack in many countries, in more ways than one, it is important for those working in the sector to find coping strategies that work for them and build collective support.

Listen to Campus podcast: How to look after yourself in higher education [[link removed]]

Podcast: Ruby Wax on laptop addiction, mindfulness and community (from Things you can't live without)

Ruby Wax explains the positive and negative effects on her mental health of being addicted to her laptop.

Listen to Podcast: Ruby Wax on laptop addiction, mindfulness and community [[link removed]]

Articles How to build positive techniques that’ll actually improve your mental health (from MSN)

Mental health isn’t something you sort out once and then forget about like a flatpack bookshelf you hope never collapses. It’s an ongoing, often messy process—one that requires attention, intention, and a bit of creativity.

Read How to build positive techniques that’ll actually improve your mental health [[link removed]]

Kindness as a public health action (from Nature)

The universal practice of kindness is a potentially effective grassroots public health promotion action that could propagate from the individual to the collective.

Read Kindness as a public health action [[link removed]]

How to be a better friend, according to therapists (from Very Well Mind)

Being a good friend doesn’t always come naturally, especially in a world that keeps us busy, distracted, and often spread way too thin. The good news? Friendship is a skill you can work on and get better at—just like anything else.

Read How to be a better friend, according to therapists [[link removed]]

Viewing art can boost wellbeing by giving meaning to life (from Science Daily)

The simple act of looking at a piece of visual art can boost your wellbeing, a new research study has found, and this benefit can be gained in a hospital setting as well as an art gallery.

Read Viewing art can boost wellbeing by giving meaning to life [[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 5 May, 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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