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Local Update, 10 June 2024
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
Job Vacancy: Senior Peer Research and Participation Officer
Remote
£36,000 per year pro rata, actual salary £14,400
Part-time (14 hours per week )
Contract (Until 31st March 2025, extendable subject to funding)
Further details and apply: Senior Peer Research and Participation Officer
Shared poem
Johannah Read, our Trainee Benefit Advisor, wanted to share this poem as she found it very empowering. We hope you like it:-
Hold Your Own
Song by Kae Tempest
When time pulls lives apart
Hold your own
When everything is fluid, and when nothing can be known with any certainty
Hold your own
Hold it 'til you feel it there
As dark, and dense, and wet as earth
As vast, and bright, and sweet as air
When all there is
Is knowing that you feel what you are feeling
Hold your own
Ask your hands to know the things they hold
I know the days are reeling past in such squealing blasts
But stop for breath and you will know it's yours
Swaying like an open door when storms are coming
Hold
Time is an onslaught
Love is a mission
We work for vocation until
In remission
We wish we'd had patience and given more time to our children
Feel each decision that you make
Make it, hold it
Hold your own
Hold your lovers
Hold their hands
Hold their breasts in your hands, like your hands were their bras
Hold their face in your palms like a prayer
Hold them all night, feel them hold back
Don't hold back
Hold your own
Every pain
Every grievance
Every stab of shame
Every day spent with a demon in your brain giving chase
Hold it
Know the wolves that hunt you
In time, they will be the dogs that bring your slippers
Love them right and you will feel them kiss you when they come to bite
Hot snouts digging out your cuddles with their bloody muzzles
Hold
Nothing you can buy will ever make you more whole
This whole thing thrives on us feeling always incomplete
And it is why we will search for happiness in whatever thing it is we crave in the moment
And it is why we can never really find it there
It is why you will sit there with the lover that you fought for
In the car you sweated years to buy
Wearing the ring you dreamed of all your life
And some part of you will still be unsure that this is what you really want
Stop craving
Hold your own
But if you're satisfied with where you're at, with who you are
You won't need to buy new make-up, or new outfits, or new pots and pans
To cook new exciting recipes
For new exciting people
To make yourself feel like the new exciting person, you think you're supposed to be
Happiness, the brand, is not happiness
We are smarter than they think we are
They take us all for idiots
But that's their problem
When we behave like idiots
It becomes our problem
So hold your own
Breathe deep on a freezing beach
Taste the salt of friendship
Notice the movement of a stranger
Hold your own
And let it be
Catching
Events and news from the web
Understanding neurodiversity & mental health (webinar from Ajuda), Thursday 13 June, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Research has shown that, within some services, there is a lack of specialised knowledge regarding mental health in neurodiverse adults
Get to know more about supporting neurodiverse adults and how to raise awareness about their mental health needs to increase the support availability.
Barnet Wellbeing Service
Looking for mental health support? The Barnet Wellbeing Hub is a fantastic resource for residents in Barnet, offering a one-stop shop, linking you to services and activities in the community for mental health and wellbeing support. https://www.barnetwellbeing.org.uk/wellbeing-hub 03333 449 088 | [email protected]
Sensory Walk - Barnet, Victoria Recreation Ground (from Sense), each Thursday, 11.00am
Sensory walks allow you to use your senses to connect with your surroundings whilst you stay active. Taking part in this activity will help you to develop social connections, explore the use of your senses, and support your health and fitness.
The sensory walk at Victoria Recreational Ground runs every Thursday, 11am - 12noon. The meeting point is outside New Barnet Leisure Centre cafe. The session will last one hour and will consists of 30 minutes walking, plus yoga exercises; breathing, stretching and meditation.
Further information on Sensory Walk - Barnet, Victoria Recreation Ground and book
James' Place
James' Place offer free, life-saving treatment for men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis.
Who they help:-
Men (and people who identify as men) age 18 +
Men in London and surrounding area
Men in the North East
Men in the North West
Men experiencing a suicidal crisis
Men willing and able to engage in talking therapy
Registered with a GP – or eligible for registration
Communication do’s & don’ts [Free Webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance], Thursday 13 June, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Understanding how mental health impacts thinking and behavior helps to reduce frustration & stress, and improves outcomes for everyone. Learn simple tools to manage conflict and express feelings with a licensed therapist.
Understanding factitious disorder imposed on another [free webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance], Wednesday 12 June, 4.00 - 5.00pm
At the heart of Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (previously Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy) is concern that a caregiver is either lying about an illness in a child or dependent adult, or has caused real symptoms in an otherwise healthy person. Learn the signs and symptoms of this disorder and what motivates a caregiver to cause illness in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist.
I don't need help: supporting people who can't see their mental illness (free webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 12 June, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Why do people sometimes reject help? Discuss the reasons why people refuse mental health care and how to respond & cope in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist.
Book I don't need help: supporting people who can't see their mental illness
Talking MS and other health conditions session (online group session from MS Society Living Well Team), Thursday 13 June, 6.30 - 7.30pm
A group session discussing living with MS and other health conditions, understanding the extra challenges to managing symptoms of MS on top of other health conditions or autoimmune conditions.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]
Podcasts
Podcast: inside OCD: a personal journey through managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Sam Temple (from Psych Central)
Sam emphasizes how different forms of the disorder, like relationship OCD, severely impacted her life.
The Gratitudeology™ Podcast with Jamie Hess (from Jamie Hess)
An attitude of gratitude is the heartbeat of happiness.
Articles
Layin’ it on the line: Why good mental health is so important in retirement (from Standard Examiner)
Mental health plays a crucial role in retirement, significantly influencing overall well-being, quality of life and adjustment to this important life transition. While retirement can offer newfound freedom and opportunities, it also brings unique challenges that can impact mental health. Prioritizing mental well-being during retirement is essential for maintaining happiness, fulfillment and a positive outlook on this new phase of life.
Read Layin’ it on the line: Why good mental health is so important in retirement
Flow: people who are easily absorbed in an activity may have better mental and cardiovascular health (from Yahoo News)
Have you ever lost all sense of space and time when redecorating a room? How about being so focused while playing an instrument that the worries that weighed you down a minute ago just evaporated? Then you’ve probably experienced “flow”.
Companion animals and mental health (from Psychology Today)
Pet ownership can improve mental health and avert loneliness.
Trees are proven to lower the temperature in the environment and in people's moods (from Augusta Chronicle)
Trees proven to help boost mood and combat rising temperatures, one of many symptoms of climate change, experts say.
Read Trees are proven to lower the temperature in the environment and in people's moods
Regular Events on the Web
Meditation for older adults (free online meditation) (from Online Meditation Events), Wednesday 12 June, 3.30 - 4.30pm
Older and wiser adults have many life experiences to know that stress and pain are not worth holding on to. As a result, they understand the meditation principle of ”Letting Go."" You will quickly feel the benefits of the practice.
Mental health tune-up (online yoga and meditation class from Emily White), each Tuesday at 3.15pm
Maintaining good mental health is an essential foundation for our wellbeing and quality of life. Mental health symptoms naturally decrease with regular practice of Kundalini Yoga & Meditation.
Wednesdays Morning Meditation : Online Event (from Inner Space Edinburgh), Wednesday 12 June, 8.00am
Whether you are new to meditation or just want to enhance your practice, restore your positivity, energy and wellbeing.
This is a free live online guided meditation.
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.
Poetry therapy (online session from Nation's Finest), Monday 10 June, 9.30pm
Join this session and de-stress with poetry! You will learn the structure of micro poems such as American Sentence, Haiku, and Sijo. Examples included for each form. Second half of class will be used for writing, sharing your work is optional. Please note the time above is UK time. The event takes place in the USA and if you book the time listed on your ticket will be USA time.
Music To remember (online event from Music Heals Minds), Tuesday 11 June, 7.00pm
These weekly virtual recitals with Nandani “Nani” Sinha and guests stimulate remembrance and gently invite reflection through familiar and bellowed songs.
Laughing Fit - a weekly online laughter class for health & happiness (online group session from Jon Bockelmann-Evans), Tuesday 11 June, 8.00 - 8.30pm
A 30-minute laughter class filled with joy to boost your physical, mental and emotional health and leave you feeling great!
Book Laughing Fit - a weekly online laughter class for health & happiness
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 17 June, 5.30pm
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+.
Community wellbeing support (From Meridian Wellbeing, Mind Enfield and Barnet and Colindale Communities Trust)
Providing mental health and wellbeing support at the heart of the community.
Feeling worried about life or struggling?
Anxious?
Just need someone to talk to confidentially?
The cafe will provide:
Day time and evening access
One to one support from trained mental health wellbeing empowerment workers
Group workshops and training
Emotional health checks and personal action and safety plans
A safe space to be and crisis support out of hours
Help to build your resilience and self-management
Drop into the old library, every Thursday:
12pm - 5pm - emotional health check drop in
3pm - 5pm - crisis and well-being support drop-in
5pm - 8.pm - appointment-based crisis and well-being support
Helpline for immediate emotional support and enquiries 020 8906 7503.
For more information please drop into the Old Library on the Concourse, NW9 5XA or call Colindale Communities Trust (CCT) on 020 8200 3014
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.
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 [email protected] or call 0208 906 7506.
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.
Since the Pandemic. Our group has gone through necessary changes. One week our group meets via Zoom from 6-7.15pm. Alternate wks. we meet, in person at 55 Christchurch Avenue 6-7.30pm. No-one is allowed to join our meetings without prior arrangement.
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
- 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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