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Local Update, 18 August 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: 21st August 2025
Runs on the third Thursday of every month
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Topic: Question and Answer session on mental health services.
Ask anything you may want to know about mental health services.
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 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
Understanding sleep & mental health (online workshop from Unmasked Mental Health), Wednesday 20 August, 3.30 - 4.30pm
In this bite-sized session they will look at what sleep is, how it affects us and particularly the effects it can have on our mental health. They look at why we need it and what can happen when we don’t get enough! You will also think about your own sleep patterns and routines and discover how you can get the most out of your sleep.
Keep your marbles: mental health support group (online chat from Keep your marbles), Thursday 21 August, 7.00 - 8.30pm
This is a safe space for adults looking to connect with others and receive support in their mental health journey.
Special issues in women's mental health (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 20 August, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Explore the symptoms, causation, and treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Perinatal Depression, and Perinatal Anxiety and learn practical strategies to manage symptoms in this one-hour seminar
Understanding anxiety (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 20 August, 4.00 - 5.00pm
An accessible guide to understanding what causes anxiety disorders and the types of anxiety, their symptoms, common misconceptions, and how relationships are impacted. Discuss co-occurring disorders, treatment options, and learn practical tips for managing symptoms.
5 ways to wellbeing (online workshop from Unmasked Mental Health), Wednesday 20 August, 12.30 - 1.30pm
The "Five Ways to Wellbeing" are simple actions that can improve mental health and overall well-being. This workshop will cover how to incorporate these five key elements into your regular routine
Mindful growth tools: from dreaming to doing (online event from ShareWell), Wednesdays at 4.00pm
In this weekly session, Irene Martinho guides you through mindful growth strategies, practical mindset shifts, and guided journaling exercises to help you reconnect with your goals and take meaningful steps forward.
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 9 September, 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: Can psychedelic therapy go mainstream? (from NPR)
Research shows that psychedelics can help with a range of mental health conditions, like PTSD and depression. So why can't you get them from your doctor?
AI chatbots are becoming popular alternatives to therapy. But they may worsen mental health crises, experts warn (podcast from the Guardian)
Users may be led down conspiracy theory rabbit holes or into emotional harm by chatbots designed to maximise engagement and affirmation, some say
Articles
Your brain on music: how tunes can impact your mind (from Cleveland Clinic)
A single song can go a long way in helping you focus, recall memories and develop new neural connections in your brain
For city dwellers, even 15 minutes in nature can improve mental health (from Leiden University)
Green spaces boost mental health—especially in busy cities. A new study from Leiden and Stanford University reveals how nature benefits urban well-being and offers low-cost ways to make city life healthier for everyone.
Read For city dwellers, even 15 minutes in nature can improve mental health
Female-led neurodivergent group publish magazine (from the BBC)
A new magazine has been created to help young people who are neurodivergent feel connected and seen.
6 things people do differently in Finland, the happiest country in the world (from yahoo! life)
When it comes to happiness, it’s well-known that the Nordic countries regularly score high on surveys of life satisfaction. In fact, Finland has held the top spot in the World Happiness Report’s list of happiest countries for years — even as the country deals with cold weather, long winters and no daylight for part of the year in certain parts of the country.
Read 6 things people do differently in Finland, the happiest country in the world
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 1 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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