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Local Update, 15 September 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
Barnet Service User and Carer Forum
Date: 18th September 2025
Runs on the third Thursday of every month
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Topic: Explaining the new North London NHS Foundation Trust Operating Model
N.B. please note that these changes will not mean that anyone's keyworker or services will change.
They will also be joined by Caroline Bete, Assistant Director of Nursing for Barnet.
Caroline will be happy to answer any questions you may have for her.
Barnet Mental Health services want to hear what you have to say about Adult Mental Health services. Their forum encourages and promotes service users and carers working alongside staff to improve their services.
They have speakers arranged each month and a chat about other topics our attendees may want to discuss. They also share useful information about things happening in Barnet.
Venue: In person at The Network, 24 Hendon Lane, London, N3 1TR
OR
Microsoft Teams, join by clicking the link or entering the details below. MS Teams link is also available on the NLFT trust website.
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+44 20 3321 5208,,325359623# United Kingdom, London
Phone Conference ID: 325 359 623#
Barnet Forum Contacts
Jessica Lashko, Ella Goldberg, Ioanna Xenophontes or Sally Hurcomb
My mental Health - finding meaning (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Thursday 18 September, 10.00 - 12.00pm
In this workshop they will discuss ways to cultivate a true sense of fulfilment and purpose, identify potential challenges, and discuss strategies to overcome them.
Keep your marbles: mental health support group (online group from Keep Your Marbles), Thursday 18 September, 7.00 - 8.30pm
This is a safe space where you can openly discuss your struggles, share coping mechanisms, and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Beyond the page (online workshop from Zen Mushin), Tuesday 16 September, 7.00pm
A session of writing exercises and discussions to boost your mental health and overall wellbeing
5 ways to wellbeing - connect, move, notice, learn, give (online workshop from Ideal for All), Tuesday 16 September, 4.00pm
Overview of the 5 ways to wellbeing and how this can support you day to day
Book 5 ways to wellbeing - connect, move, notice, learn, give
Eating well for good mental health (online session from Nicole Carter Fitness), Tuesdays, 7.00 - 7.30pm
Learn tips and hints for eating well to boost your mood and overall well-being
The circle of kings: men’s health hour (online event from The Maths Surgery Uk Limited), Sundays, 7.00 - 8.30pm
A chance to prioritize your health and make positive changes in your life
Mindfulness for ADHD (online event from ShareWell), Mondays at 7.00pm
Learn how to build mindfulness muscles that work with your ADHD—not against it.
Monthly ME/CFS peer support group (online support group from Brain Health Breakthrough CIC), Tuesday 14 October, 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
‘AI psychosis’: could chatbots fuel delusional thinking? – podcast (from the Guardian)
There are increasing reports of people experiencing delusions after intensive use of AI chatbots. The phenomenon, dubbed ‘AI psychosis’, has raised concerns that features built into large language models may contribute to some users losing touch with reality.
Listen to ‘AI psychosis’: could chatbots fuel delusional thinking? – podcast
The happiness lab with Dr. Laurie Santos (from Pushkin)
Some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness
Articles
Can you be truly happy without a sense of purpose? (from Psychology Today)
New research contrasts two sides of the positive psychology coin.
10 best hobbies for brain health, according to neuroscientists (from Good Housekeeping)
Try these activities to keep your brain sharp — and have fun.
Read 10 best hobbies for brain health, according to neuroscientists
This mindset can boost mental health in midlife (from Futurity)
Middle-aged adults who adopt an attitude of joyful acceptance toward all of life’s experiences—both good and bad—enjoy better mental health, particularly when they feel socially connected, a new study suggests.
What it's like to live with intrusive thoughts, illustrated (from NPR)
Have you ever had scary thoughts pop into your head that you just couldn't stop thinking about?
Read What it's like to live with intrusive thoughts, illustrated
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 15 September, 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
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+.
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 Enfield (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 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
- North London NHS Foundation Trust crisis helpline for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 0800 151 0023 24/7, 365 days a year.
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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