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Local Update, 9 June 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.
Events and news from the web
Total mental health (virtual event from stormbreak), Tuesday 10 June, 4.00 - 5.00pm
A session dedicated to improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the children in your care
Understanding neurodiversity & mental health (webinar from Ajuda Limited), Thursday 12 June, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Get to know more about supporting Neurodiverse Adults and how to raise awareness about their mental health needs
The Network consultation
The Network is a support service for people with mental health needs that provides short-term wellbeing support (up to 9 months) for people who are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Network is part of the council’s adult social care service.
The Network was set up as a prevention service many years ago. The council has identified that there are now many other services available to meet this type of need.
To ensure an informed decision is made on the future of the Network, a public consultation is being undertaken to gather the views and opinions of those who use the services and residents.
The consultation will invite views on two options for the Network service:
- A continuation of the service
- Closure of the service
Windrush Day (in person event), Sunday 22 June, 12.00 - 5.00pm, Hendon Library, The Burroughs London NW4 4BQ
Celebrate Windrush Day at Hendon Library with a vibrant afternoon of storytelling, creativity, and community connection. This family-friendly, drop-in event shines a light on the rich history and lasting legacy of the Windrush generation in Barnet.
The liberation of voice through creative writing (webinar from York Festival of Ideas), Wednesday 11 June, 1.00 - 2.30pm
Discover the power of creative writing to foster connection and community for those with lived experience of mental ill health at an interactive workshop led by writer Helen Kenwright.
Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS (online session from Regina Beach), daily Monday - Thursday, 12.30 - 1.00pm
Accessible yoga, meditation and breathwork for people with chronic health conditions and limited energy
From overwhelmed and disconnected to living well with chronic illness (online workshop from Lisa Donnarumma), Tuesday 10 June, 1.00 - 2.00pm
A free online talk/workshop for those navigating chronic illness, burnout or stress
Book From overwhelmed and disconnected to living well with chronic illness
Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Tuesday 17 June, 7.00 - 10.00pm
An opportunity to explore the power of writing for self-care and personal growth.
Monthly ME/CFS peer support group (online support group from Brain Health Breakthrough CIC), Tuesday 10 June, 2.00 - 3.00pm
Peer support sessions for people who have or care for someone who has a diagnosis of ME/CFS.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]
Podcasts
Podcast: avoiding caregiver burnout: supporting a mentally ill loved one (from Psych Central)
Sometimes, you are so consumed by caring for a loved one with a serious mental illness, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, that taking a moment for yourself feels like a betrayal. In this episode, host Gabe Howard and Dr. C. Alec Pollard reveal the hidden crisis of caregiver burnout in the world of serious mental illness.
Listen to Podcast: avoiding caregiver burnout: supporting a mentally ill loved one
Podcast: Digging out: Can we help people with hoarding disorder? (from APA)
Hoarding disorder affects about 2% of the population and is more common among older adults. Psychologist Mary E. Dozier, PhD, talks about the causes of hoarding disorder, its links to other mental health disorders, why many people who hoard are highly altruistic, and how a values-based intervention can help them—and others who simply struggle with clutter.
Listen to Podcast: Digging out: Can we help people with hoarding disorder?
Articles
Building the good life: finding meaning and purpose to achieve well-being (from Johns Hopkins University)
BSPH associate professor shares his research on the foundations of a life well-lived
Read Building the good life: finding meaning and purpose to achieve well-being
A prescription with no side-effects: can the arts help curb our poor mental health? (from Epigram)
Grace O'Sullivan explores the arts as a positive force for change in a climate of poor mental health
Read A prescription with no side-effects: can the arts help curb our poor mental health?
Being alone and feeling lonely are not the same thing (from Psychology Today)
Looking at the gap between social needs and perceived social support is important.
Open-water swimming supports mental health (from Psychology Today)
Open-water swimming can be as good for our brains as it is for our bodies.
Contact with nature boosts our cognitive performance and creativity.
Outdoor swimmers are likely to connect not only with others but also with their inner selves.
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 16 June, 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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