Thursday 10 October is World Mental Health Day 2024, and we’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of the various mental health support options you can access if you or a loved one is impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
It’s not uncommon to need some form of mental health support when a cancer diagnosis impacts the life of yourself or a loved one. Much like how the body’s muscles risk becoming strained under sustained exertion, experiencing a mental health difficulty is a very natural reaction to being under significant or sustained emotional stress.
There is nothing at all to be ashamed of if you’re struggling. It’s common, it’s understandable, and it means that you are very much not alone!
There are various ways to access mental health support, no matter what difficulties you find yourself experiencing. From seeing your GP, to speaking with your cancer care team, accessing help from qualified professionals can be a good option.
The Macmillan website has an excellent article that covers the main ways you can get mental health support from qualified professional sources. This includes NHS mental health professionals, private counsellors, and Macmillan’s own Information and Support Advisers.
It’s important to recognise that not every professional support option will feel right for you at any given time. It can be just as helpful to seek support from people who have been through similar experiences to yourself, as peer support can be a powerful tool in helping you to feel truly heard and understood.
You might already be a member of the Macmillan Online Community. If you are, you’ll know that we have many groups dedicated to connecting people with different cancer diagnoses, as well as people who share similar cancer-related situations. No matter what your diagnosis or situation, you’ll find these forum groups are full of compassionate and understanding members.
" I really appreciate all the support, I couldn’t have gotten through it so far without it. "
- Member, Head and neck cancer forum
" I couldn't have made it this far in my recovery without the support and guidance of this forum. Everyone has been so helpful to me in my journey through treatment and recovery. "
- Member, Head and neck cancer forum
" I've been through something I wouldn't want for anyone. I am so grateful to everyone on this forum - there was definitely some dark days in the beginning!! "
- Member, Anal cancer forum
" this forum has been my sanctuary…. No question, no judgement , no explanation.. love and support "
- Member, Anal cancer forum
For specific help with emotional and mental health issues, you can get involved with our dedicated forum group here:
If you have a pre-existing mental health need, receiving a cancer diagnosis can present a whole host of additional challenges – both practical and emotional. It should go without saying that if a cancer diagnosis has created additional emotional support needs for you, you still have access to all of the mental health support options outlined above.
If your pre-existing mental health condition is being made worse by the news of a cancer diagnosis, it’s really important you consider sharing your diagnosis with any existing mental health professionals you’re seeing. This way, they will be fully aware of the difficulties you are experiencing, and will take them into account when working with you on your existing needs.
Alongside the emotional impact, a cancer diagnosis when you have a pre-existing mental health condition might make accessing vital cancer care feel more difficult. It might be that you struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and so the thought of entering a hospital creates additional worries for you. If you have Social Anxiety or generally don’t feel very safe outside, having to attend a public location might seem overwhelming.
Whatever additional worries a cancer diagnosis might create for you, there are members of your cancer care team you can talk to.
If you have a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or key worker, you can ask them about special arrangements that might help to reduce or eliminate some of your concerns. For example, they may be able to arrange alternative transport to your appointments, or help you access less busy routes into the hospital whenever you need to attend. They can also make suggestions on where to get further help.
If you don’t know who to contact, start with your GP. As with so many things in life, finding solutions usually starts with the simple act of telling someone else what you need. The professionals assigned to your care are there to help, so don’t be afraid to speak up and tell them how you feel.
As always, our Macmillan Support Line staff are here if you need to talk. Our Information and Support Team can help you find the support most relevant to your needs. They’re also there as a listening ear if you ever just need to say how you’re feeling.
You can find information on all the ways you can get in touch at the link below:
We hope you found the above information helpful. If you have any feedback, we’d love to hear from you. You can either leave a comment on this blog post or email the Online Community Team directly at community@macmillan.org.uk.
If you’re ready to connect with others, why not join the Emotional support forum and share how you’re feeling right now? The chances are, you’re anything but alone in how you feel.
If you’d like to read more on the topic of cancer support and mental health, you might find the articles and blogs linked below interesting:
