Good mental health allows us to build and maintain good relationships with others, live and work productively, cope with the stresses of daily life and adapt to manage in times of change and uncertainty. It can also help us have more positive relationships with those around us and contribute to our community.
Poor mental health on the other hand can cause feelings of sadness and loneliness, anxiety and low self-esteem as well as difficulties sleeping. It can also cause people to drink more alcohol or smoke excessively to relieve stress.
Research suggests that one in four of us will have problems with our mental health and wellbeing at some point in our lives. In Barnet, it is estimated that there are over 40,000 people living with a mental health problem.
Improving mental health and wellbeing is a key priority for Barnet with a strong emphasis on improving services, tackling stigma and discrimination and focusing on prevention and early help.
We can all feel anxious, stressed or low at times in our lives. When these feelings go on for a long time, get worse or affect our day-to-day lives, they may be considered a problem. Help is available and getting help early can prevent things from getting worse.
Mental health sites
Good Thinking is a London-wide NHS Digital wellbeing service designed to support low level mental health needs. It offers a digital self-assessment test followed by a range of personalised, clinically approved, digital and local interventions based on your preferences and location.
Sleepio is an online self-help programme to help reset sleeping patterns without relying on sleeping pills. There are six core sessions and each takes about 30 mins. It requires a time commitment over a 6 – 8 week period. You can access Sleepio via Good Thinking.
Mind - information and advice on a wide range of mental health problems
Moodzone - an NHS website containing advice, self-help materials and treatments and other people’s stories
Samaritans: Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
Mental wellbeing sites
Five Ways to Wellbeing - five ways to wellbeing are simple lifestyle changes that can improve how we feel.
One You: One You is here to help you get healthier and feel better with free tips, tools and support. Whether it’s moving more, eating more healthily or checking yourself – One You can help you make small, practical changes that fit in with your life
Using online resources can be a great way to support your mental health. There might be times when using online tools could have a negative impact on your mental health. The Mind site offers advice on maintaining healthy online/offline balance as well as how to make best use of online resources.
Get involved
Time to Change: Time to Change is a growing social movement working to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems.
Thrive LDN - Thrive LDN is a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners. Getting involved in Thrive LDN’s activities or projects can be good for your wellbeing.
