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In the community for the community
Better mental health care for Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington
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More than 200 attended our community event about changes to our services
More than 200 service users, stakeholders and members of staff came together to discuss the developments in our community transformation programme, and suggest future changes to mental health services.
The £25m three-year programme is putting in place a radical new way of working that will help people to live well by improving mental health services across the five boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington. NHS staff, stakeholders and voluntary community partners told stakeholders and members of the public about the improvements and how they are working. People were also asked for their feedback and more than 40 suggestions were put forward for change. These are being collated and will be used to inform the programme as it develops.
This model of community support is already revolutionising the way that mental health services are being delivered, as well as how, and where, NHS staff and community partners work together. The programme began 18 months ago, and since then staff have been recruited to 250 new roles, with another 70 still to be recruited.
Natalie Fox, Deputy Chief Executive and lead for the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, said: “The changes we are making will improve the lives of many, many thousands of people for years to come. We are now seeing multi-disciplinary teams of experts, including those with lived experience, working within the Primary Care Networks. Together, these teams are beginning to provide holistic, wraparound care, covering a wide range of mental health needs.
“This new way of working is tackling the health inequalities faced by people with mental health needs. People are starting to have greater choice and control over their care, with increased support for them to live well in their communities.”
A service user who attended the event, but wished to remain anonymous, said: “It was really good to be able to talk to senior staff who are running the services and get immediate answers to my questions about the services. It’s good that I was asked what I want – it wasn’t just imposed on me. I also met other people who use the services and it was good to hear their point of view about what is working. I have noticed a lot of changes, and it was reassuring to learn that they are being made across all the five boroughs.”
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We are listening to that you have told us!
Your feedback on what we have done so far. Please remember the changes are being introduced gradually across the boroughs...
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Your suggestions for change...
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How our community services are helping people to live well
The pandemic had a profound effect on Ludumo; she had received help with her mental health in the past and during the lockdowns she recognised the signs that she was starting to feel down and needed support.
She said: “I was starting to feel anxious again and could tell that I was generally falling into depression and I wanted some help with that. I knew the signs and I knew it was best to get help quickly.”
Ludumo, who has three children and also supports her mother, who has mobility problems, contacted her GP and was initially referred for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but after an initial session, she realised that it wasn’t the right kind of support for her and asked for a change.
She explained: “I’d had CBT before and I hadn’t been very happy with it before and I felt this time I would say that early on, and ask for an alternative. The GP referred me to the Core Team and someone got in touch. We had a couple of online video calls with an assessment and then I went and met her at the GP clinic.
“I have found it really helpful. It is so much easier to open up and talk about your feelings to someone who you don’t know and who isn’t judging you. I was offered advice and support about lots of things. I was given lots of information about activities near where I live, and encouraged to go along and take part. Some of them are things I can do with the kids and that’s really good because it involves them and it’s good to have things for them to do.
“After about six sessions I started feeling much more positive and able to cope. I think I will be ok now, but I also know to reach out again if I need more support. I have taken medication in the past but I didn’t want to do that again, I think this support is much better than anti-depressants and has really helped me feel back on track.”
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Recovery after lockdown anxiety
Our services are helping Carol (not her real name) to recover from the anxiety she experienced during lockdown.
Carol used mental health support services for the first time during the pandemic after the lockdowns made her feel anxious. A congenital heart problem, which led to breathing issues, meant that she was clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 and she became frightened to leave her home.
Carol said that her problems developed gradually: “When we first went into the lockdown, I didn't really realise I had an issue because nobody could go out. But when people started going out. I realised that I couldn't go out, I became very fearful.”
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On a routine visit to her GP, she burst into tears and the doctor recognised she needed greater support. Initially Carol was referred to IAPT services, but she came to the end of her allocated sessions and was still too anxious to leave her home. She went back to her GP, who suggested putting her in touch with Haringey Primary Care Mental Health Team.
Carol said: “I spoke to the counsellor, and it really worked for me. She was pushing me to do things, which was very helpful. I did try to put up excuses, about why I couldn't do this and why I couldn't do that, but she didn’t let me get away with that, which is good thing. First to open the door, then step outside.
“I actually got out of the gate. After two sessions, I took a walk up the road with my neighbour and we even spoke to some other neighbours up the road. I stayed out there for about 20 minutes. I know that doesn’t seem like much, but it felt like a massive achievement. I even went to a supermarket, which was really significant because I hadn’t been to a supermarket for more than two years, so that was a really big deal.”
Carol had a setback when a neighbour who had been very supportive about her recovery, died suddenly. She decided to take things more slowly and saw her support worker less frequently but continued making steady progress and after a few more sessions felt confident to venture out even further.
“I felt ok to visit my local supermarket this time, which was really significant because I hadn’t been to a supermarket for more than two years, so that was a really big deal. I feel as though that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t got help. You can have friends and people that help you along the way, which is a good thing. But I think that you need to have somebody not actually close to you, to give you a push and make you feel confident that you can do things. Someone who is very supportive, but who won't take no for an answer. Sometimes family and friends see how distressed you are and won’t push you”.
Carol’s next goal is going back to work in the office after working at home since the start of the pandemic. With the help and support of our mental health teams, she feels confident she will soon be back at her desk, alongside her friends and colleagues.
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Fiona Grainger, Art Psychotherapist with the North Locality Core Mental Health Team, visited a service user art exhibition at The Enablement Hub, 65c Park Avenue, Bush Hill Park. Here, she tells us about the exhibition and the work completed by the centre.
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Park Avenue is a fantastic community resource for people recovering from mental health difficulties. The centre offers a safe and non-judgemental space for residents of Enfield to come together on a weekly basis and be creative. Park Avenue is a council-run centre which, in partnership with BEHMHT, offers a place for vulnerable individuals to attend and explore their social, practical, emotional and creative needs.
Living with enduring mental health issues can be isolating and having a space to do a variety of activities together can be positive and therapeutic. The overall purpose of the Enablement Hub is to equip clients with the tools and skills to feel more confident in their ability to move forward and participate in more formal learning, volunteering or employment.
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Cllr. Alev Cazimoglu opened the exhibition and said: "Engaging in artistic work had long been recognised as a positive therapeutic tool by clinicians and practitioners. It is essential that vulnerable people in the community have an opportunity to demonstrate their individualism through art, which helps people to feel valued to grow, flourish and feel better about their recovery. Art can improve mood, self -esteem, interpersonal skills and ultimately be a positive life experience.
"The exhibition had a wonderfully eclectic mix of artistic styles, using a range of different art media. I was struck by the range of emotion that was contained within the art. Art can offer an alternative language for expression when words are not enough. Being creative can open up our curiosity which stimulates brain activity, encouraging new neural pathways to be formed.
Art, quite simply, is good for our mental and physical well being and is a significant aid to recovery."
Jo Carroll, Managing Director, Enfield Mental Health Division said: "I was invited to the exhibition to view some of the artwork that Enfield service users had created and were proud to display and they did not disappoint.
"The work was deeply moving and I met many of the artists who created the work. I bought a piece designed by a lady who had been a patient at Chase Farm many years ago. The emotion in the pieces was palpable as some families were there to support and reaffirmed the power of art and nature in recovery. It was well worth the visit as it inspired us to create our own gallery at Chase Farm."
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For further information about the programme of events and referrals to Enablement please contact: michael.bennett2@enfield.gov.uk
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Marking World Mental Health Day 2022
Every year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated globally on 10 October, to highlight the importance of good mental health and the support that's available for anyone who needs help. There is such a vast amount of information and resources, that it can be perhaps a little overwhelming at times to find what's right for you.
It is normal and okay to feel upset, anxious or confused sometimes in life. You might be feeling worried about coronavirus, or the additional uncertainty of world events might be increasing your feelings of anxiety and stress.
It has never been more important for each of us to think and talk more about mental health and wellbeing, and to seek support when needed. In London, there are a range of free resources, online tools, and helplines available to help you cope and stay mentally healthy. We've highlighted some of the latest tools developed by Thrive London; available to all and launched to help celebrate World Mental Health Day this year.
Simple ways to improve your wellbeing
Doctors of the World, in partnership with Thrive LDN, have put together a list of little things you can do to keep yourself well and some useful ways to get support if you are finding it hard. The guidance is available in English and 35 other languages to support migrant communities.
If you’re feeling anxious or stressed about work, housing or financial difficulties, then explore the helpful range of resources and guidance on City Hall's Help With The Cost of Living Hub
Available support now - online tools to help your mental health
The NHS-approved digital mental wellbeing service, Good Thinking, promotes proactive self-care for the four most common mental health conditions: anxiety, low mood, sleeping difficulties and stress. Take the clinically validated self-assessment tool to get a better understanding of what you’re going through or workbooks that contain expert advice, helpful resources and if necessary, relevant treatment options.
To help build resilience and maintain good wellbeing, there’s a range of resources for everyone at Every Mind Matters. Including an interactive quiz, the Your Mind Plan, to get top tips and advice relevant for you.
A collection of NHS Coping Well During Covid webinars are available if you are feeling anxious about coronavirus and how it is impacting you, your loved ones or your work. The 60-minute sessions will guide you through ideas and tools to support your mental health and wellbeing in an evidenced based and interactive way.
Photos from our community event
Meet some of the staff involved in our community mental health transformation
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Published by:
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, St Ann's Hospital, St Ann's Road, N15 3TH
Email: beh-tr.communications@nhs.net
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