World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2025
Access to services
World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity for us to come together to talk about mental health and raise awareness.
The World Federation for Mental Health has chosen the theme access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health whatever they're going through, because everyone deserves good mental health.
Resilient Schools recognises the importance of staff wellbeing encourages school staff to access a range of the mental wellbeing support services which includes:
A free, safe and anonymous mental health and wellbeing support service run by qualified professionals.
Face-to-face and online serviced with a focus on improving your mental and emotional health. Call 03333 449088
Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis. Samaritans is a safe place for you to talk at any time, in your own way, about whatever is getting to you. You don't have to be suicidal. Save the free phone number in your phone 116 123
NHS website signposts to a range of services ranging from urgent help to therapy and finding local mental health services
Money and Debt Advise – Money Adviser Network
We recognise the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and mental health. There is free, confidential, and independent debt advice available to Barnet residents.
Enfield and Barnet are the local specialist mental health charity provide services supporting you with wellbeing, advocacy, therapy, training, and advice. This also includes the Sanctuary & Crisis Hub a short-term crisis intervention and prevention service
Pastoral Community of Practice - The Pastoral Community of Practice (previously called the Team Around the School Community of Practice) fosters peer to peer support by bringing together education staff, service and advice providers. The aim is to strengthen relationships between different schools and services which includes sharing best practices and case consultations. The next meeting is on 16th October from 9.30 -12.30pm at Finchley Youth Theatre – Click here to find out more or please email Natasha Joseph to receive the meeting invitation
We have compiled a list of resources and helplines below to support school staff and children & young people – click on the name of each resource/ support to take you to their webpage.
Helplines, resources & support
Urgent Help Mental Health Crisis Line –The North Central London 24-hours crisis line has a team of trained mental health advisors and clinicians who provide help or advice for young people aged under 18 in a crisis – 0800 151 0023
Barnet CAMHS – Duty team for young people already known to services, Monday – Friday between 9am- 5pm, young people or carers can telephone for support – 020893827
Barnet Integrated Clinical Services (BICS) – Is a non-emergency service that provides services to children, young people and families with mild to moderate mental health needs in the borough including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and youth justice liaison & diversion. Professionals working with young people can get in touch to receive advice and make a referral. Contact BICS@barnet.gov.uk for general enquiries or call 0208 359 3130 (Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm)
Barnet Young People Thrive Talking Therapy – A programme delivered by Young People Thrive, CB Plus to support 17- to 25-year-olds facing mild to moderate mental health challenges, including those struggling with university, life or work pressures and social challenges. It includes CBT-based webinars, group sessions and 1-2-1 interventions. Click here to find out more
Waiting Room is a website that provides mental health and wellbeing information for children and young people, adults, parents and carers, and professionals based in North Central London. We offer information, resources, and support services. The North Central London Integrated Care System (NCL ICS) covers five London boroughs: Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey.
Mermaids (mermaidsuk.org.uk) Supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families since 1995
Brook Healthy Lives for Young People is a free and confidential sexual health advice service.
Change Grow Live is a free and confidential service for young people up to 24. Provides help and advice with challenges young people facing in everyday life such as issues with drugs and alcohol mental and sexual health.
Phone: 0300 303 2866 |Email: Barnet.Info@cgl.org.uk | Webchat: Our webchat is for young people under 25 looking for advice and info. Speak to our online team.Young Minds provide free help and advice for young people, parent/carers and professionals working with young people. Includes a chat service for parent/carers, resources for professionals and mental health advice for young people on a range of topics. Phone: Parent/Carer Helpline: 0808 8025 544 | Monday – Friday 9.30- 4.00pm
SHOUT is the UK’s first and only free, confidential 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope. To start a conversation text ‘Shout’ to 85258 and trained shout volunteers are here to listen any time and messages won’t appear on your phone bill.
Childline is a free, confidential service where children and young people under 19 can talk about any issue they’re going through, online or on the phone. Call 0800 1111, email or through a 1-2-1 counsellor chat
HOPELINEUK | Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity (papyrus-uk.org) If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice.
Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 88247 Email: pat@papyrus.uk.org
North Central London - Amparo Support after suicide service for people who have been bereaved by suicide who live, work or study in the London boroughs of Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey
Talk to us on the Phone | Samaritans Call 116 123 for free
Stem4 has created five evidence-based apps to support young people with challenges such as anxiety, low mood, body image and self-harm – These health management resources make support more accessible and tailored to individual needs. Please note they function as an aid in treatment but do not replace it.
Support in educational settings
Kooth for students and Qwell for all staff in education. Both services are run by qualified counsellors and are completely confidential.
Suicide-Safer Schools Guide - PAPYRUS has developed a guide to support teachers and school staff in building suicide-safer schools. The guide, which is downloadable on their webpage, provides school staff with an understanding of the most effective strategies to implement and to create a suicide-safer environment. The material in the guide is designed for secondary school and college teachers and staff, but can be adapted for younger children too- Click here
Self-Harm Management Tool Kit - This toolkit from Essex, Southend on Sea and Thurrock councils in collaboration with the NHS is to support those working with school-age children and young people under 18 in educational settings – Click Here
Health Education Partnership are commissioned by Barnet Public Health to support Primary and Secondary schools deliver effective PSHE curriculum. There are holding an in-person network meeting on 16th October – Click here to find out more or email Tania Barney tania.barney@healtheducationpartnership.com
The Peer Champion Scheme is commissioned by Resilient Schools which includes mental health awareness training and a half-day co-production workshop so that young people can design the scheme to fit the needs of their school. Click here to find out more
If you would like to learn more about the Resilient Schools Programme, and how to promote a whole school approach to mental health wellbeing, please contact Jayne Abbott – Jayne.abbott@barnet.gov.uk
Training and awareness
Resilient Schools provides Youth Mental Health Training and Suicide Prevention training opportunities for school staff in Barnet to support young people
If you would like to join the cohort this year, please click to see our promotional leaflet or contact info@bdld.org.uk to book your free place for Youth Mental Health Training.
Part of the YMHFA Training offer includes webinars for professionals to choose a topic to enhance their practice in supporting CYP. Click here to shape the next webinar.
For Suicide Prevention please contact natasha.joseph@barnet.gov.uk.
BICS deliver groups and workshops throughout the year when Barnet families need them. Click here to find out more
In addition BICS have several upcoming ‘trainer the trainer’ sessions on a range of topics at 12pm and 4pm which include:Interpersonal Connections (Secondary) – includes an in-person session by BICS on self-harm and suicidal ideation – 8 October 2025
The Teenage Brain – 26 November 2025
Barriers to Good Mental Health & Self-Care Strategies – 14 January 2026
Stress Management for Whole School Communities – 22 April 2026
Thrive LDN developed a film Connects which invited people to write a message of hope for someone who may be finding things difficult. – Click here to watch the video and click here for the discussion guide
Zero Suicide Alliance Training is a FREE 20-minute online training that can be accessed by the whole school community including parents/carers. The training helps you to more confident in supporting people you are worried about and provide a whole school approach to suicide prevention. The Suicide Prevention training aims to give skills and confidence to help someone who maybe considering suicide. It focuses on breaking stigma and encouraging open conversations. – Click here
For further information on supporting yourself or others, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/
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