John Truong of local charity Meridian Wellbeing on Mental Health Awareness Week

Crocuses in the ground — Thomas Wolf (Der Wolf im Wald), CC BY-SA 3.0 <Deed – Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported – Creative Commons >, via Wikimedia Commons

So, spring has finally arrived – giving us brighter, warmer days and renewed debates about when we can start having barbecues. But beyond the sunshine and optimism, this change of season also invites us to pause and reflect on something we often overlook: our mental health.

In May, we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week (11th to 17th May) by having conversations about mental wellbeing to help reduce the stigma that can prevent people from seeking help. This year’s theme is about taking action – whether big or small – to ensure that those who need support, including ourselves, can access it at the right time.

At Meridian Wellbeing, we have been supporting the mental health of local people for over 30 years. We have seen firsthand the value of community-based support in helping people with their mental health and we know that local knowledge and trust is vital for effective support.

Our experience is also reflected by wider research. For example, the National Institute for Health and Care Research in 2024 found that community-based mental health services helped reduce stigma, focused on a person-centred approach and supported accessibility.

Research has also found that mental health support works best when it’s not limited to a single intervention, but rather is part of a holistic, person-centred approach through interventions like talking therapy, peer support and exercise. That’s why Meridian Wellbeing offers a range of services designed to support people in different ways, because we recognise that everyone’s mental health needs and journey are different.

We believe that supporting mental health isn’t just about excellent clinical care alone, it’s also about empowering people to take an active role in their own wellbeing. This includes addressing the challenges which have affected them, such as social isolation, trauma, stress, or a long-term health condition. These challenges are part of their journey and must be addressed to improve their wellbeing.

A key part of our work is ensuring that our services are accessible, inclusive and shaped by those with lived experience. Our Wellbeing Cafés in New Barnet and Hendon are a great example of this approach because they are organised and run by peers with lived experience to support others just like them. The cafés are open and welcoming spaces for everyone to drop in – whether it’s for a cup of tea or coffee, to try a new activity, or simply to spend time with others.

Partnership work is another key part of our approach. We work closely with local organisations including Change Grow Live, Barnet Council and Fit and Active Barnet to provide joined-up, wrap-around support for local residents. As the provider of the Barnet Wellbeing Hub, Meridian Wellbeing also continues its long-standing commitment to offering reliable, locally rooted support to individuals and families across the borough.

Listening to people with lived experience has also helped us understand the importance of meeting people where they are, with compassion and without judgement. In response, we are increasingly working with local businesses to provide tailored mental health and wellbeing support in workplaces, helping employers create environments where staff feel supported, valued and able to thrive.

Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that mental wellbeing is everyone’s business. Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference and by working together as a community, we can help ensure that support is available, accessible and meaningful for all.

We will be hosting an event on Thursday, 14^th May to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week at the Meritage Centre in Hendon. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about supporting your mental health and what activities and services are available locally – everyone is welcome! We’ll be sharing more details soon, but if you’d like to find out more, please contact us using the email below.

If you would like to find out more about our services, events or if you are interested in developing a wellbeing package for your organisation, please contact us at [email protected].

John Truong is head of operations at Meridian Wellbeing

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