An introduction to Barnet Depression Alliance Self-Help Group

This is just to give you a brief outline of who we are, what we do and how we run. Hopefully it will help you to decide whether the group would suit you and to give you some idea as to what to expect when you come for the first time.

Who we are
We are one of over 80 self help groups affiliated to the national charity Depression Alliance. We have been meeting in Barnet for nearly 11 years ( we begun in January 1997), with the sole aim of providing support for fellow sufferers of depression. The emphasis is on self help and the group is not a therapy group. All members of the group, including the group organisers have suffered from depression.

Venue
Our group meets regularly in North Finchley on Monday and Tuesday evenings. If you would like to attend a meeting please contact us first so that we can send you a newsletter and a copy of our group guidelines.


Format of meetings
Our meetings vary in their format. Our Monday meetings are longer (2½ hours)and usually feature a talk / discussion by a guest speaker or one of our members, or a video or some other planned activity with a break for tea in the middle. Our Tuesday meetings are shorter (2 hours) and are dedicated to self help without a planned activity. Both meetings however include a "check in" time where each member who wants to, can talk about how they are feeling and discuss general issues around how she or he is coping with depression.

We also have a social programme so that members have a chance to get to know each other better in a more informal setting.

Within the group we emphasise the importance of complete confidentiality. No personal information that is shared within the group should be repeated to anyone outside.

Group library
We have a small group library of books, articles, tapes and videos on depression and related subjects which members are welcome to borrow.

Joining the group
The group is open to any adult (18+) who lives in Barnet and suffers from clinical depression. We regret we cannot accommodate carers at our meetings. We currently have over 60 people on our mailing list, with approximately 10-20 people attending meetings and there is a good mix of men and women. We cover a broad age range from early 20's to 60's +.

There is no membership fee but we do ask for a small contribution from members to cover the costs of refreshments at meetings.

Group organisers
The group is run by two group leaders who have been vetted by Depression Alliance with help from a committee of six longstanding group members. Group leaders have also been CRB checked. The group is supported financially by Barnet Council and is affiliated to the national charity Depression Alliance.

How To Contact Us
You can contact us via this website, or leave a message on our ansaphone 0789 6610479 and we will call you back. Alternatively, you can phone the national organisation Depression Alliance on 0845 123 23 20 (calls charged at local rate) and ask them to forward your details to us.

Page last updated on January 11th 2008