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Local Update, 12 May 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: 15th May 2025
Runs on the third Thursday of every month
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Guest: Nelsy Cristancho
Topic: a practical introduction to Latin American dance as a positive form of mental health self-help.
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 services.
They have speakers arranged each month and a chat about other topics 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 BEH 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, or Ioanna Xenophontes
Tips for mental health (celebrating mental health awareness week) (online seminar from Inner Space), Tuesday 13 May, 6.00 - 6.45pm
This session explores how to:
– manage anxiety, maintain a healthier mindset and build self-care strategies
– create meaningful connections, support others and cultivate compassionate communities
Mental health and Menopause webinar (from The Meno Coach), Friday 16 May, 1.00 - 1.45pm
Webinar looking at the mental health symptoms that accompany menopause and what can be done to tackle them.
Mental Health Awareness Week: smartphones, sleep and mental health Q & A (online Q & A from York for Life), Tuesday 13 May, 7.00 - 8.00pm
A delve into the research featured in Channel 4's 'Swiped Documentary' and the links between sleep and mental health.
Book Mental Health Awareness Week: smartphones, sleep and mental health Q & A
Keep your marbles - mental health support group (online support group from Keep Your Marbles), Thursday 15 May, 7.00 - 8.30pm
This is a safe space for adults looking to connect with others and receive support for their mental health journey.
Reclaiming community in a digital age (webinar from Mental Health Innovations), Wednesday 14 May, 11.00am - 12.00pm
Webinar exploring how social connections shape mental wellbeing, and how technology is reshaping our relationships.
Work stress and burnout (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 13 May, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Stress is something we all experience in our personal and professional lives. But when stress is severe or prolonged (or both), it can impact our physical and mental health in major ways. Learn practical tips to manage distress and effective ways to cope
Pet loss & mental health – a gentle community workshop (online workshop from Leto's Light), Monday 12 May, 7.00 - 8.00pm
Pet loss is a deeply personal grief—but you don’t have to go through it alone. This online gathering is a mix of reflection, discussion, and shared community support.
Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Tuesday 20 May, 7.00 - 10.00pm
An opportunity to explore the power of writing for self-care and personal growth.
Monthly ME/CFS peer support group (online support group from Brain Health Breakthrough CIC), Tuesday 13 May, 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
Podcast: 'It burns at me': Michelle Obama and Taraji Henson address mental health, the state of the world as Black women in 2025 (from CNN)
Actress Taraji P. Henson joined former First Lady Michelle Obama on her podcast IMO
Podcast: Dealing with exam stress as a medical student (from Monash University)
Medicine is consistently rated as one of the most popular courses to study at university. However it is also ranked as one of the hardest. Students probably feel this the most at exam time.
Listen to Podcast: Dealing with exam stress as a medical student
Articles
Can social media improve your mental health? (from Futurity)
When used carefully and mindfully, social media likely can boost mood and emotional well-being, researchers report.
Mental health awareness in the outdoors (from UK Climbing)
While the benefits of walking in nature are widely recognised, mental health distress can still occur on the hills, and it is important to ensure that walking groups, climbing clubs and outdoor communities create an environment where mental wellbeing is actively supported.
The cost of mental health research? Priceless (from Psychology Today)
Funding mental health research creates a healthier society
Experts say ‘flourishing’ may be the key to mental health. Here’s how to achieve it (from the Globe and Mail)
Becoming immersed in a hobby or activity like pickleball can improve mental health by reducing stress, boosting confidence and fostering connections with friends and family.
Read Experts say ‘flourishing’ may be the key to mental health. Here’s how to achieve it
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 19 May, 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
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 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
- 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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