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Local Update, 25 April 2022

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.

Inclusion Barnet Events and News New Healthwatch report into Long Covid in North Central London

Healthwatch Barnet’s major new report into local people’s experiences of Long COVID is now published. We worked jointly with Healthwatch colleagues in North Central London - Healthwatch Camden, Healthwatch Enfield, Healthwatch Haringey, and Healthwatch Islington and more than 300 people shared their experiences. The report reveals the impact that Long COVID has and alongside recognised symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, respondents described long-term effects on their mental health including lower self-esteem and confidence, increased anxiety and low mood, and depression. “I have become a shell of a person” said one Camden resident.

As a result of the study, the Healthwatch branches are making a series of recommendations, including increased training and support for GPs so they can be better informed on Long COVID and its symptoms and easier access to existing support for those with Long COVID. “We want patients who are diagnosed with Long COVID or referred for further support to be given immediate access to self-care and self-management resources” says Nitish Lakhman, Manager Healthwatch Barnet.

You can read the report in full on the Healthwatch Barnet website [[link removed]].

Other Events and News Mental Health and Nutrition: How To Eat For Your Mood, Thursday 28 April, 6.30 - 7.15pm

Have you noticed a link between certain foods and how you feel? Learn how to support mental health with food with award winning nutritionist

Book [[link removed]]

Long-Term Conditions – Mental Health Workshop, Tuesday 26 April, 12.30 - 3.45pm

A 3-hour mental health learning session, led by Dr. David Crepaz-Keay - the Head of Applied Learning at the Mental Health Foundation.

Book [[link removed]]

Mental health and wellbeing plan: discussion paper

The government has developed this discussion paper and call for evidence to ask the public a range of questions to help develop the plan for mental health and wellbeing.

More information [[link removed]]

Free art workshop with Valerie Amani at The Courtauld Gallery, Tuesday 26 April, 2.00 - 4.00pm

Join the team from arts and mental health charity Hospital Rooms and the artist Valerie Amani for an exciting practical art workshop at The Courtauld Gallery.

These in-person workshops are aimed at anyone who has used mental health services, and their friends, families or carers.

Book [[link removed]]

Legal Issues After a Relationship Ends, Thursday 28 April, 10.30 - 12.00pm

Explore the common legal issues following the end of a relationships and learn about your rights, options and sources of support.

Book [[link removed]]

Online mental health and wellbeing workshops available to all adults anywhere

More information and book [[link removed]]

Podcasts Mental Health Week: How The Pandemic Has Challenged And Changed Relationships Between Parents And Kids, And Tips For How To Navigate It

Pretty much any parent can probably speak to how the pandemic has challenged and changed their relationship with their child.

Listen [[link removed]]

Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris

Dan Harris is a fidgety, skeptical journalist who had a panic attack on live national television, which led him to try something he otherwise never would have considered: meditation. He went on to write the bestselling book, 10% Happier. On this show, Dan talks with eminent meditation teachers, top scientists, and even the odd celebrity.

Listen [[link removed]]

Articles Mental health: meet the experts bringing therapy to the high street

Therapy is finally becoming less clinical – but can a more relaxed approach work?

Read [[link removed]]

The Mental Health Benefits Of Spring Cleaning

For many people, cleaning one’s space supplies a significant emotional health benefit.

Read [[link removed]]

Young and depressed? Try Woebot! The rise of mental health chatbots in the US

Schools are encouraging students to use mental health chatbots to address a surge in depression and anxiety. Critics worry they’re a Band-Aid solution unsupported by evidence.

Read [[link removed]]

Stand-up mental health course heading to the Comedy Store

A north London social enterprise is taking its stand-up wellbeing course participants to the West End's famous Comedy Store.

Head Held High, based in Islington, works with young people and vulnerable adults to improve their mental health and wellbeing through laughter in its Stand Up For Yourself programme.

Read [[link removed]]

‘Walking in to Andy’s Man Club was the hardest walk I have ever done - but it was a life saver’

Men speak of life saving benefits of attending club which helps deal with mental health issues.

Read [[link removed]]

How to look after your mental health through the cost of living crisis

As the rising cost of living continues to hit most UK households and inflation peaks at a 50-year high, many people are worrying about their finances and may begin to see their mental health and general wellbeing suffer as a result.

The increasing price of energy bills, housing prices and everyday expenses like food and petrol has already left almost four in 10 people (38 per cent) worried about their finances and more than half (51 per cent) feeling less control over their mental health, according to research by University College London.

Read [[link removed]]

World Snooker Championship: Mark Selby considered not defending title because of mental health struggles

Mark Selby admits he considered not defending his World title because of his ongoing battle with mental health issues - and said winning in Sheffield would be his greatest achievement.

Read [[link removed]]

Regular Events in Barnet 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

Mind & Mood Support Group has returned to face to face meetings at 55 Christchurch Avenue, London N12 0DG. To enquire about becoming a new member, please contact either Peter or Sandra below.

Peter Sartori e: [[email protected]]

Sandra Turner e: [[email protected]]

Both Peter Sartori and Sandra Turner have extensive experience of the mental health system.

We are an independent support group, run by ex service users, for service users, their carers and supporters.

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

The Help Hub [[link removed]] - free online emotional support sessions 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 Turn2Me [[link removed]] - free online Support Groups Useful links from Sussex University [[link removed]] - lots of useful links to MH resources

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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