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Local Update, 4 August 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 Understanding bipolar disorder (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 6 August, 4.00 - 5.00pm

Everyone experiences ups and downs, but bipolar disorder is different. An accessible guide to understanding the types of bipolar disorder, their symptoms, common misconceptions, and how relationships are impacted. Discuss treatment options and learn practical tips for managing symptoms and helping others.

Book Understanding bipolar disorder [[link removed]]

Real-world mindfulness for busy people. 8 week course (from Dee Williams - Wise Monkey Wellbeing), Tuesday 5 August, 6.30 - 8.00pm

Learn how to cultivate calm, clarity & control amidst the chaos of daily life with this fully accredited, 8-week online course (MBSR/MBCT)

Book Real-world mindfulness for busy people. 8 week course [[link removed]]

Stretching and affirmations - clear mind (online class from BetterSpaces), Monday 11 August, 3.00 - 3.30pm

A gentle class combining mindful stretching with positive affirmations to release tension and quiet the mind.

Book Stretching and Affirmations - Clear Mind [[link removed]]

The art of adaptability: skills for navigating the new and unknown (online workshop from C&C Search), Wednesday 6 August, 12.30 - 1.30pm

Times of uncertainty and rapid change can cause significant disruption, stress and turmoil in the workplace. This workshop looks at why people have a tendency to resist change and the strategies we can use to manage change more effectively.

Book The art of adaptability: skills for navigating the new and unknown [[link removed]]

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.

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 Podcast: Can AI help solve the mental health crisis? (from APA)

People are increasingly turning to chatbots for mental health advice and support

Listen to Podcast: Can AI help solve the mental health crisis? [[link removed]]

Inside schizophrenia podcast: understanding psychosis for loved ones and caregivers (from Psych Central)

It can be difficult for loved ones, caregivers, and even medical professionals to understand what it’s like to experience psychosis.

Listen to Inside schizophrenia podcast: understanding psychosis for loved ones and caregivers [[link removed]]

Articles Living near nature and greenspaces shown to reduce mental health issues by 60% (from earth.com)

Researchers in Texas report that people living in neighborhoods surrounded by nature and greenspaces have dramatically lower rates of bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health maladies, according to an analysis of 61 million outpatient visits

Read Living near nature and greenspaces shown to reduce mental health issues by 60% [[link removed]]

How to make friends in later life and how it impacts health and wellbeing (from the Independent)

As time goes on it can be harder to make and maintain friendships due to being at different stages of life, lack of confidence or other factors.

Read How to make friends in later life and how it impacts health and wellbeing [[link removed]]

How having a child can impact mental health (from UCL)

While parenthood is linked with better mental health, new UCL research reveals social and economic circumstances also matter.

Read How having a child can impact mental health [[link removed]]

Creating a ripple effect: The science behind sharing positive stories (from Happiful)

Happy stories are contagious, and here’s how you can tell them, too

Read Creating a ripple effect: The science behind sharing positive stories [[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 4 August, 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

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.

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 Enfield [[link removed]] (an independent, statutory organisation dedicated to improving health and social care services in Enfield).

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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