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The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is Action.docx

MHAW_202026_20-_20Tipsheet_20Quick_20actions.pdf

Mental Health Awareness Week –

11-17th May 2026

Take Action: for yourself, for someone else, for all of us

The Mental Health Foundation has chosen the theme "Action” this year to recognise that whilst awareness is vital, real change comes when taking action too. Regarding action during this week try to:

For yourself: Choose one positive action to boost your mental health that works for you. Click here on resources for looking after your mental health in addition to Resources from Action for Happiness -10 Keys to Happier Living | Action for Happiness
For someone else: Find one thing that you can do to help build mentally health communities, workplaces and schools. Click here to learn why community is important for our mental health

In addition, there are various resources for your setting to get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week:

- Mental Health Foundation – The foundation have a range of resources which include logos, posters and social media posts to help spread the word about Mental Health Awareness Week as well as Tipsheets which include top ten actions for good mental health and eight actions to improve mental health in the long-term.
- Voluntary, community and faith groups | Barnet Council– The council website have a dedicated page on ways you can join a networking forum. There is a range of specialist forums in Barnet for the voluntary, community and faith sector to network and share information.
- Autism and mental health – A blog post from Mind which explains, autism, how mental health and autism are related and useful contacts for autism support.
- Barnet Local Offer: Please see the Barnet local offer on how specialist education services can help and as well as the Inclusion Advisory Team.

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 click here to contact Jayne Abbott.

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.– 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

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 next academic, contact info@bdld.org.uk to register your interest in 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.
Suicide Prevention half-day training delivered by Papyrus will allow you to learn vital suicide prevention skills such as holding open and honest conversations, identifying signs of struggle and how to support someone’s safety. Keep an eye out for the next set of training for the 26/27 academic year!
BICS deliver groups and workshops throughout the year when Barnet families need them. Click here to find out more
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/

Articles of interest

Barnet's Suicide Prevention Campaign ‘may have helped save 10 lives’, finds Middlesex University report | Barnet Council

BICS are inviting you to join our virtual workshops. These workshops aim to increase your knowledge of common wellbeing and mental health difficulties faced by children and young people. They also aim to provide you with strategies to assist you in supporting your young person.

We have five topics coming up between April 2026 – July 2026

Understanding Low Mood and Self-Esteem Workshop (Two Part Event)

BICS are inviting you to join a free two-part series of virtual mental health workshops which aim to increase your knowledge on Low Mood and Self-Esteem and provide you with some skills and strategies to assist your young person in coping with their Low Mood and Self-Esteem.

This workshop is aimed towards the parents/carers of children and young people.

This is a two-part workshop that will develop your understanding of low mood and low self-esteem. It will teach you skills to help you to support and talk to your child or young person who may be experiencing low mood and/or low self-esteem. It will also introduce you to the CBT-approach to treating low mood, which includes behavioural activation, identifying values and building mastery and includes children and young people’s views on their experience with low mood and self-esteem. As some children and young people with low mood engage in unhelpful / risky coping behaviours such as self-harm, the workshop will address how to respond and encourage the use of safer coping methods.

The workshops are being held virtually to accommodate for childcare and work commitments. Please ensure you sign up for both parts of the workshop on Eventbrite.

Managing Exam Stress

Exam season can place a lot of pressure on young people, and many struggle with stress, avoidance, and low motivation in the lead‑up to their exams. BICS are inviting you to join a virtual workshop designed to deepen your understanding of stress, how it affects young people, and the challenges they often face during this period.

This session will explore how anxiety influences studying and exam preparation, and it will introduce practical strategies to help you support your child or young person to manage these feelings more effectively. You will also gain tools you can use to support your child in navigating exam‑related difficulties with greater confidence.

Understanding and Managing Friendships

BICS invite you to join a virtual workshop designed to support parents and carers in understanding how friendships develop and the challenges that may affect your child or young person.

The workshop aims to build confidence in understanding your child or young person’s friendships and supporting them through any difficulties that may arise. We will explore how anxiety can impact socialising and friendships difficulties, how neurodivergence may shape these experiences, and ways to empower your child or young person to develop boundaries, navigate conflict, and manage bullying.

The workshop also focuses on how to communicate effectively with your child or young person about friendship issues and when it may be helpful to step in to problem‑solve together, with the aim of strengthening your relationship and supporting their overall wellbeing.

Introduction to Neurodiversity Workshop

BICS invite you to join a virtual workshop designed to provide a general overview of neurodiversity. The session aims to support parents and carers in building awareness and understanding of what neurodiversity means and how it may relate to your child or young person’s experiences. We will explore key themes, discuss common challenges, and share practical ideas to help you navigate support.

The workshop will cover how to access support with or without a formal diagnosis, ways to advocate for your child in education settings, simple and effective strategies you can try at home, and the local services and resources available in Barnet.

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop provides general information and guidance only. BICS does not offer neurodiversity assessments, diagnosis, or specialist intervention. The focus of the session is to build awareness and confidence for families who are exploring these areas or awaiting further support.

Managing School Transitions

BICS invite you to join a virtual mental health workshop which aims to support parents and carers in helping their child navigate the transition from primary to secondary school.

In this workshop, we will share strategies for coping with change and ways to help your child build confidence and develop a positive sense of self. Together, we will consider the range of feelings children often experience as they transition to secondary school – including their hopes, worries, and expectations. You will also learn helpful techniques to use at home, along with strategies to help your child or young person feel more comfortable saying goodbye to the people and schools they are leaving behind as they prepare for this next step.

HOW TO REGISTER

Please register for each session using the ‘Eventbrite’ links below.

The workshops are being held virtually during lunchtimes to accommodate for childcare and work commitments. If you need a letter to your employer, please ask. Spaces are limited, and places will be offered on a first come first serve basis. We look forward to seeing you at our workshops.

Workshop

Date/Time

Sign-Up Link

BICS Family Minds: Understanding Low Mood and Self-Esteem (Two Part Event)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00 – 13:30 GM

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:00 – 13:30 GMT

BICS Family Minds: Understanding Low Mood and Self-Esteem (Two Part Event) Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

BICS Family Minds: Managing Exam Stress

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00 – 13:30 GMT

BICS Family Minds: Managing Exam Stress

BICS Family Minds: Understanding and Managing Friendships

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00 – 13:30 GMT