Mental Health Awareness Week (9 – 15 May)

Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place from 9 – 15 May this year, with the theme of loneliness.

The past two years have been very challenging for many of us, with the pandemic having a big impact on our mental health and many of us experiencing feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness has a huge impact on our mental and physical wellbeing and that is why we are encouraging residents to support each other and build meaningful connections with their friends, family, colleagues and community.

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week, please visit the Mental Health Foundation website.

There are many events taking place within north central London during Mental Health Awareness Week. You can view the full schedule below.

Events in North Central London

Meridian Wellbeing are hosting a number of free to attend events to help tackle loneliness, taking place at the Meritage Centre, Church End, Hendon, NW4 4JT.

Mon 9 – Fri 13 May, daily: UNSPOKEN: An art exhibition created by students in further and higher education in the UK in response to their lived experience of attempted suicide. Hosted in partnership with Middlesex University and Public Health Barnet.
Tue 10 May, 11am-2pm: Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week with dance and tai chi workshops, networking, and lunch. Email info@meridianwellbeing.com to register your attendance.
Fri 13 May, 11am-1pm: Pop into the Wellbeing Café for a cuppa and a chat, try your hand at table tennis and connect with new people.

Below are a list of some upcoming events and activities taking place across Camden. Some are one-off events for Mental Health Awareness Week, while others are reoccurring on a weekly basis.

Tai Chi classes – Tuesday 10 May, 9.30am-10.30am, Abbey Community Centre, 222C Belsize Road, NW6 4DJ. Reoccurring every Tuesday until Wednesday 27 July. Visit the Centre’s website for more information
Free, guided wellbeing walk, Regents Park – Tuesday 10 May, 10.30am-2.30pm. To join from Kentish Town meet at Elfrida Rathbone Camden, 10am to get taxis to the park, RSVP james@elfridacamden.org.uk or call 07979 756 970. To join from Regents Park meet at the Espresso Bar, Regents Park, RSVP ellie.rudd@fya.org.uk or call 07923 849 277
Chi Kung classes – Tuesday 10 May, 11am-12pm online via Zoom. Reoccurring until Saturday 2 July. For more information and to register your interest email scott@castlehaven.org.uk or call 020 7692 2238
Ballroom dancing – Wednesday 11 May, 11am-12pm online via Zoom. Reoccurring until Friday 1 July. For more information and to register your interest email scott@castlehaven.org.uk or call 020 7692 2238
Free ‘Real Talk’ debate for 16 to 21-year-olds – Wednesday 11 May, Camden Council Chambers, Crowndale Centre 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD, 5.30pm-7pm (doors open at 5pm) Free tickets, call 020 7974 5450 or email sandra.soteriou@camden.gov.uk
Online Exercise with Tony (via Zoom) Wednesday 11 May, 2pm-3pm, reoccurring until Wednesday 29 June. This is an online class for people of all abilities. It involves gentle exercises taking place while seated
Arts for Dementia Programme (via Zoom) Wednesday 11 May, 2pm-3pm until Wednesday June 29. For people with early-stage dementia and carers to socialise, engage creatively, share experiences and ideas
Talk for health: Loneliness is worse for us than smoking – Thursday May 12, 6pm-8pm. Register via Eventbrite or email fernandezbea@talkforhealth.co.uk for more information
Hampstead Heath Hands Urban Tree Festival – Saturday 14 May, 1pm-3pm, Parliament Hill Bandstand, NW5 1QR
Night of 10,000m personal bests – Saturday 14 May, 2pm-10pm, Parliament Hill Athletics Track
London Natural History Society bird walk – Sunday 15 May, 10am-2pm, meet at Hampstead Heath Overground station
Hampstead Heath Leisurely Walks – Monday May 16, 23 and 30, 9.45am-12pm (noon). No need to book, just show up at Parliament Hill Café. Visit the group’s webpage for more information
Talk for Health: Learn to talk for a fit mind (online event) – Wednesday 18 May, 1pm-3pm. Register for the event via Eventbrite. For more information email: info@talkforhealth.co.uk or call 0203 409 3201
Talk for Health: Train the Chair (online event) – Wednesday 25 May, 10am-4pm. Register via Eventbrite. For more information email: info@talkforhealth.co.uk or call 0203 409 3201
Men’s Club – Castlehaven Community Centre, Mondays, 11am-12pm, reoccurring until Monday 4 June
Volunteer at TCV Camden Green Gym – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10.45am-2pm. Locations include: Regents Park, St Andrews Gardens, Baynes Street Canalside Gardens, Waterlow Park, Hampstead Cemetery, Holly Lodge, Spedan Close, Ingestre Wood and Cantelowes Gardens. For more information, visit TCV Camden Green Gym webpage
Fun, Fitness sessions – Fridays, 12pm-1pm at Talacre Community Sports Centre, reoccurring until Friday, 24 June

Under-fives story time (Caledonian Park) – Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
Mindfulness and Wellbeing Project For more information, please contact Mirjam on mirjam@theparenthouse.co.uk or 0207 837 1383
Yoga – Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
Dawn Chorus at Gillespie Park – Visit Dawn Chorus at Gillespie Park | Eventbrite to register
Manor Gardens community wellbeing event – Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
Parkrun – Visit the Parkrun website to find out more – no need to register, just turn up
Family Mindfulness Class – Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
Dementia-friendly health and history walk – Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
Talk for Health May 2022 Special – Loneliness – Book a place online.
Youth mindfulness workshop Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
Mindful Walk around Barnsbury Wood – Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
Junior Parkrun – Visit the Parkrun website to find out more – no need to register, just turn up
Gillespie Park Spring Celebration – Visit Gillespie Park Spring Celebration Tickets, to register
Volunteering in Caledonian Park – Visit the Cally Park website for more information and to register
Health and nature walk – Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register
New River Walk – No need to register, just turn up
The Wellbeing Group Stress Project
Health and nature walk No need to register – just turn up
Islington Council events – find out more.

Resources for you

NHS Mental Health Hub

A range of information and support for your mental health

Mental health – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you are struggling and need some support, there are also many services available across North Central London that can help:

Kooth: for young people in North Central London

An online 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support for young people (under 25s) across North Central London.

Access directly via: https://www.kooth.com/

Good Thinking

Digital wellbeing support for Londoners who need help with anxiety, sleep, low mood and stress. Their resources include free apps, podcasts, blogs and workbooks.

Access their resources here.

Thrive LDN

A citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners. It is supported by the Mayor of London and led by the London Health Board partners. They offer 24-hour advice and support, free webinars, and online tools to help with your mental health.

Access their resources here.

iCope

This service offers free, confidential help for problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Access their services here.

Every Mind Matters

This service provides NHS-endorsed tips and advice to help tackle stress, anxiety and sleep issues.

Access their resources here.

Mind

A mental health charity offering support within North Central London boroughs:

Mind Barnet- Mind in Enfield and Barnet – For better mental health (mindeb.org.uk)
Mind Camden- Home | Mind In Camden
Mind Enfield-Mind in Enfield and Barnet – For better mental health (mindeb.org.uk)
Mind Haringey- Mind in Haringey
Mind Islington- Islington Mind – For better mental health

Council Mental Health Support

The local councils across North Central London offer their own range of mental health support:

National Charities:

Samaritans

Helpline: 116 123 (Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Mind

Helpline: 0300 123 3393 (Open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)

Saneline

Helpline: 07984 967 708 (Leave Saneline a message and one of their professionals/senior volunteers will call you back as soon as practicable)

Childline

Helpline: 0800 1111 (Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)