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Local Update, 21 July 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
Touchpoint
Our Benefit Advice Service is temporarily closed to all new referrals and enquiries. We recommend contacting alternative advice services, such as Barnet Citizens Advice Bureau or Boost, during this period. Updates on our reopening shall be on our social media and website.
Touchpoint Peer Support remains open as normal for new referrals and enquiries.
Events and news from the web
The science behind mental illness (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 22 July, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Diagnosing mental illness isn't like diagnosing other chronic diseases. Are mental health disorders best understood as physical illnesses that affect the brain? Or do these disorders belong in a category all their own? Explore the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental illness in this one-hour seminar
Ethnic mental health carers forum (online support group from Matthew Mckenzie), Friday 25 July, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Online group aimed at ethnic unpaid Carers of those going through mental ill health
Understanding schizoaffective disorder (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 23 July, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Schizoaffective disorder is a complicated illness that is often confused with other disorders. Explore the diagnostic criteria, signs, and symptoms that differentiate schizoaffective disorder from other illnesses. This one-hour seminar includes information on causation, risk factors, treatment options, and ways to cope
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.
Mindfulness for ADHD (online session from ShareWell), Mondays at 7.00pm
Learn how to build mindfulness muscles that work with your ADHD
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
Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Wednesday 30 July, 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 12 August, 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: Transforming your mental health with hiking (from Real Health with Karl Henry)
Mairead Furlong and Fergal McLoughlin, psychologists, married couple and authors of The 50 best family hikes in Ireland, join Karl Henry on this week’s episode of the Real Health podcast.
Listen to Podcast: Transforming your mental health with hiking
Podcast: Mental fitness: daily hacks that strengthen your mind (from Inside Mental Health)
How everyday choices like eating more vegetables or going on a daily walk can profoundly reshape our brains and protect our mental health.
Listen to Podcast: Mental fitness: daily hacks that strengthen your mind
Articles
A psychiatrist’s approach to improving mental health through lifestyle (from Mind Body Green)
Psychiatrist and pioneer in nutritional psychiatry Drew Ramsey, M.D. has spent decades exploring how lifestyle choices, particularly diet, movement, and connection, shape our mental well-being. His latest book, Healing the Modern Brain: Nine Tenets to Build Mental Fitness and Revitalize Your Mind, lays out a roadmap for mental resilience.
Read A psychiatrist’s approach to improving mental health through lifestyle
Simone Biles opened up about her dogs' positive impact on her mental health and it's so relatable (from MSN)
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history; there is a reason she is known as the Greatest of All Time aka The GOAT, after all! But another reason to love the Olympian is for her advocacy for mental health.
Volunteering has brought me great joy and connection (from the Guardian)
Paula McInally says she was struggling with loneliness, but her volunteer work has now become the highlight of her week
Owning dog or cat could preserve some brain functions as we age, study says (from the Guardian)
As global population ages and dementia rates climb, scientists may have found an unexpected ally in the fight against cognitive decline.
Read Owning dog or cat could preserve some brain functions as we age, study says
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 4 August, 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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