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Local Update, 22 February 2023
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.
We are sorry for the slight delay in getting this out to you. This was due to technical issues with the website we use to send you newsletters. Thank you for your patience!
Inclusion Barnet Events and News
Blog: Age UK Barnet Social Prescribing Service to improve health and reduce isolation
Have you heard of Barnet’s Social Prescribing Service?
It is run by Age UK Barnet and aims to reduce social isolation and improve the health of residents in the borough.
Read more about Age UK Barnet Social Prescribing Service to improve health and reduce isolation
Job vacancy – Healthwatch Manager (peer role)
We’re hiring for a new Manager to lead our Healthwatch Barnet team!
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with lived experience of disability (which could include a long term condition or mental health issue) to lead a small team in the delivery of Barnet’s statutory Healthwatch function.
Job Title: Manager, Healthwatch Barnet (peer role)
Full-time: Permanent, Full-time
Location: NW9, London (Hybrid)
Salary: £37,500 – £39,000 per year, pro rata for part time
Closing date: 2nd March 2023 at 23:30
More information about Job vacancy – Healthwatch Manager (peer role) and apply
Job vacancy – Healthwatch Volunteer Coordinator
We’re hiring a new Volunteer Coordinator for our Healthwatch Team!
Job Title: Volunteer Coordinator, Healthwatch Barnet
Hours: Part-time, 28 hours per week
Location: NW9, London (Hybrid)
Salary: £34,000 pro rata, (£27,000 actual)
Closing date: 28 February 2023
More information about Job vacancy – Healthwatch Volunteer Coordinator and apply
Events and News from the Web
The Neuroscience of Mental Health (From Education Evolved Ltd.), Thursday 23 February, 5.15 - 6.15pm
Join PhD candidate Klaudia Jasionowska who will examine anxiety, depression, and mental health through the scope of Neuroscience.
3 better alternatives to mental health first aid (From Self Space), Tuesday 21 February, 2.00 - 3.00pm
The Mental Health First Aid Course has been wildly popular with businesses. It's been adopted by thousands as a strategy to improve the culture of mental health at work. It's easy to buy and it's generally considered a really good thing.
But research from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (the regulator for workplace health and safety in the UK) suggests it’s not enough.
Mental Health and Wellbeing for Leaders and Managers (From Stratus Coaching), Wednesday 22 February, 1.00 - 1.30pm
This free webinar is for leaders and managers who would like to understand a bit more about how to support the mental health needs of their team and create a mentally healthy workplace culture.
Barnet Carers
Barnet Carers provides support and information for unpaid, informal, carers across the London Borough of Barnet. Includes yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Mindly Weekly - Practical Tips on Mental Wellbeing & General Anxiety (From Step8up Mindly), Tuesday 21 February, 12.30 - 1.00pm
Join this session each week to know how easy it is to manage day to day mental wellbeing, especially general anxiety, using methods which are practical and easy.
Book Mindly Weekly - Practical Tips on Mental Wellbeing & General Anxiety
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
Understanding Acute Mental Health Services for Families, Carers, Supporters (From Mid West Aries), Thursday 23 February, 10.00am - 12.00pm
This workshop is specifically created for families, carers and supporters with a loved one who has experienced or is experiencing acute mental health challenges. It is to give a greater understanding of the Acute Mental Health Services. In particular:
How admission to an Acute Psychiatric Unit works.
The different members of the Care Team and their roles.
The jargon or terms you may hear.
What supports are available to you and your loved one.
How to support your own mental health and wellbeing.
Book Understanding Acute Mental Health Services for Families, Carers, Supporters
Hub Connections (from Barnet Wellbeing Service)
Hub Connections is back this year on 2nd March 2023 between 10am-12.30pm at The Meritage Centre, Church End. The Barnet Wellbeing Service will be working with the North Central London Cancer Alliance to raise awareness of certain cancers. There will be guest speakers in attendance including industry specialists and local support services and you will hear updates from The Barnet Wellbeing service. There will also be an opportunity to network with local services in the community with lunch and refreshments. Please register your attendance here. We Look forward to seeing you there!
SHOUT - a 24/7 digital mental health support solution (From Mental Health Innovations), Tuesday 21 February, 9.30 - 10.15am
Learn more about the Shout service and hear from current partners about their experience and if Shout may be of benefit to your population.
Free Workshop: Let's Talk Depression (From Mid West Aries), Tuesday 21 February, 2.00 - 4.00pm
This workshop provides a space to discuss the impact of depression. They will explore practical tips that can be used when managing depression and reflect on the personal and individual nature of depression.
Free Webinar: Struggling with Sleep - What Can I Do? (From Mid West Aries), Wednesday 22 February, 2.00 - 3.00pm
What are the barriers to getting a good nights rest? What can help improve sleep when you have tried everything? What practical things can you do to help with your sleeping patterns?
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy Barnet - consultation (£50 payment) (From LB Barnet)
LB Barnet want to involve a wide range of residents, communities and partners to help them develop and co-produce their new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for Barnet.
Residents' workshops will take place between 28 February and 2 March 2023. Registration for the workshops will be open until 21 February 2023.
Phase 1: An extensive engagement programme to help inform and co-produce the EDI policy for Barnet. The first phase will include a series of residents' workshops. Council officers will also be going out to talk to various community interest groups who support residents and service users and also speaking to partners.
Phase 2: Once they have heard all your views and feedback, they will use what you have told them to help develop the draft Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy which they will then seek your views on.
More information and book Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy Barnet - consultation
Psychologically Informed Reflective Practice for Parents (From Jounita Wright), Thursday 23 February, 7.00 - 10.00pm
This is a free online event for any parent/carer of adolescents aged 13-20 concerned with behaviour change.
Book Psychologically Informed Reflective Practice for Parents
CommUNITY Barnet AGM - Connecting Communities (From Community Barnet), Thursday 16 March, 4.00 - 6.00pm
CommUNITY Barnet Annual General Meeting will take place online on Zoom. All are welcome.
They have a packed agenda, with a range of speakers on current and important issues, including safeguarding, emergencies, mental wellbeing and disabilities.
It’s an opportunity to connect with other community organisations, residents, and staff from statutory services.
Music: the uses and benefits (From Dementia Carers Count), Friday 24 February, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Find out how music can provide connection and shared experience between you and a person with dementia.
Online ADHD Support Group (From Tim Kiver Foundation), Tuesday 14 March, 7.30 - 9.00pm
A safe place for anyone interested in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in ANY way to share experiences and learn more about:
• What ADHD is
• How ADHD affects peoples every day life
• Ways to manage ADHD symptoms
• How to seek medical help for ADHD
• The Facts and Fiction that surround ADHD
International Wellbeing Support Group (From Rain on Me), Monday 20 February, 5.30pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
Insight into Creative Psychotherapy (Expressing Emotions Creatively) (From Holistic Wellness Community), Monday 20 February, 6.00 - 7.00pm
A chance to express yourself creatively, using creative therapeutic techniques and exercises facilitated by Dramatherapist Emma-Jo. These classes provide insight into ways you can include creativity in your life to help process emotions, trauma, to aid healing, stress, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and more, within creative methods to aid safety. Guided meditations will be used throughout and a chance to check in with yourself, providing a space to just 'be' in a world where we are constantly having to 'do'.
Singing For Mindfulness and Mental Wellbeing (From Holistic Wellness Community), Wednesday 22 February, 6.00 - 7.00pm
An hour of singing for the soul. Victoria will share with you some short, simple but deeply nourishing or uplifting songs that will go in easily, no matter what your experience. Attendees are muted for the songs which means you can sing out loud without any inhibition! And even ad lib over the top if you want! Attendees can also keep videos off if preferable.
Podcasts
Mental - The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health (From Bobby Temps)
Mental was created by Bobby Temps to break down mental health stigma and discrimination. Joined by special guests, the podcast is a safe space to hear honest and insightful mental health interviews in the hope listeners will feel more empowered to continue the conversation with others.
Listen to Mental - The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health
Maudsley Learning Podcasts (From South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust)
The Maudsley Learning Podcast is a London Based Podcast created by training psychiatrists with the goal of providing the general public access to more nuanced conversations around mental health, psychiatric medicine, psychology and psychotherapy
Articles
Mental health author shares her 3 best ways to turn anxiety into career success: ‘I had to learn to work differently’ (From CNBC)
Until age 30, mental health author Morra Aarons-Mele worked in high-pressure political and marketing jobs. And something was always off. After a major depressive episode led her to quit her corporate job, she arrived at an “aha” moment.
Millions with mental health needs not seeking NHS help, watchdog says (From the Guardian)
National Audit Office praises expansion of care but says soaring demand means delays will persist
Read Millions with mental health needs not seeking NHS help, watchdog says
“We are totally exposed”: Young people share concerns about social media’s impact on privacy and mental health in global survey (From Amnesty International)
Amnesty International collected responses from 550 children and young people between the ages of 13 and 24 across 45 countries to better understand their lived experiences, concerns and attitudes towards social media. Amidst praise for the diversity of ideas, users’ creativity and opportunities for activism that young people find on social media, two major concerns stand out: the toll harmful content and what many young participants describe as “addictive” platform design take on young people’s mental health and their feeling of powerlessness in the face of global companies’ constant nudging to participate in a vicious cycle of personal data sharing and content consumption.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2023: Stars from across film, TV and radio share top tips for kids and teens (From Bafta)
In a new short film series created by BAFTA for Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, stars from across film, TV and radio reflect on the different ways they keep a healthy mind.
Mental Health Can Improve With Sleep (From Psychology Today)
More than a third of adolescents report that they routinely sleep less than seven hours per night.
Less sleep time is related to an increase in use of electronic devices, social media, and reading news online.
Lack of sufficient sleep is associated with anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
8 tips for staying positive during SAD season, from a psychiatrist (From CNBC)
A few common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are having a depressed mood for most of the day over the course of two weeks or more, lack of pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy and changes in energy, motivation, sleep or appetite, she notes.
Here are some tips and tools to help you power through this SAD season.
Read 8 tips for staying positive during SAD season, from a psychiatrist
5 cheap and easy ways to support your mental health this winter (From Wales Online)
As professional help becomes increasingly hard to get, here are some small things that might improve your mental wellbeing
Read 5 cheap and easy ways to support your mental health this winter
Digital mental health tech for children and young people recommended by NICE in first rapid healthtech guidance (From NICE)
Four digital technologies that can help children and young people with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or low mood have been recommended for use in the NHS once they achieve regulatory approval.
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.
Weekly online social group from Mind in Enfield and Barnet, Fridays from 6.00 - 7.00pm
This group takes place by Zoom, and the session is broken up into a few casual activities such as:
Catch up about each other’s week
Play a quiz where everybody provides 3 questions
Share and discuss TV, movies and news that has inspired us this week
If you would like to attend, please email Sam Brown at [email protected]
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
- The Help Hub - free online emotional support sessions
- 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
- Useful links from Sussex University - 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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