This is the third blog in a series of blogs written for us by Nell Hanbury – cancer survivor and registered nurse. You can read more about Nell’s story in her first blog post here, or second post here.
Cancer can be a really stressful time. Because of this, mental illness and cancer can sometimes often go hand in hand. In addition, as young people, we are more prone to developing mental illnesses, such as depression or anxiety, compared to other age groups. That is not to say that these issues are inevitable. I was able to maintain good mental health during treatment. It is really important to look after the mind as well as the body. Being aware of your mental state and using coping strategies may prevent distress later down the path. There are lots of things you can do to prevent poor mental health.
Nell, during treatment. When she felt well enough, Nell would go on walks (some short, some longer), with her ‘walking buddy’ – her mum. This became an important part of her routine.
While some strategies may work for some people, others may not find any of these useful.
If you have any strategies that you know help you cope with a stressful situation, try using them again and see if they work. Before going into an exam at uni, I used to meditate. After my cancer diagnosis, I began practicing meditation daily which helped me feel calmer and less stressed, as it did before an exam.
Here are some of my suggestions that have helped me and some of my friends going through cancer treatment:
Strategy: Meditation
Purpose: To relax, reduce stress
Reason & further information:
Mindful Meditation CD. You can order a free copy through the Cancer Council by calling 13 11 20
Strategy: Mindfulness
Purpose: To relax, reduce stress
Reason & further information:
* What is mindfulness and meditation? http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/meditation.html
* ‘Smiling Mind’ – mindfulness app or website http://smilingmind.com.au/ (free)
Strategy: Exercise
Purpose: To improve mood but also has many other benefits including reducing risk of recurrence.
Reason & further information:
* Life Now program – Cancer Council WA https://www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/support-and-services/life-now/ (free) Includes yoga and exercise classes as well as meditation and cancer education seminars
* Go walking with a buddy – you are more likely to do it if someone else is goes with you
Strategy: Keep a journal/diary
Purpose: To offload and process emotions
Reason & further information:
Can be written form, photos, video, or combination
Strategy: Art
Purpose: Same as above and distraction
Reason & further information:
* Some hospitals have an art program for patients
* Check out if there are any classes in your local community
* Scar Stories creative program for 18-35 year olds http://www.scarstories.org/for-patients-survivors (free) sewing, painting, photography
Strategy: Music
Purpose: Distraction, reduce stress
Reason & further information:
Listening to music, playing an instrument, or singing. You could make a playlist with songs which have themes of survival and/or resilience
* Check out if there are any classes in your local community
http://www.redkite.org.au/support/music-therapists
Strategy: Hanging out with friends (animal and/or human variety)
Purpose: Distraction, reduce stress
Strategy: Audiobooks
Purpose: Distraction
Reason & further information:
Borrowbox – app which enables library members to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the comfort of your own home. You just need your membership number (free)
Strategy: Talk to your GP and/or cancer healthcare team
Purpose: To offload feelings, get support
Reason & further information:
There may be a psychologist attached to the oncology/haematology unit. Ask your doctor to be referred to them if you feel as though you would like some extra support. Psychologists can support you through your treatment, provide information and useful tips, and be there to talk to when you are feeling down
Strategy: Ask your Dr whether there is a youth cancer centre or service/health team for adolescents and young adults which you can be referred to
Purpose: To improve your wellbeing.
Reason & further information: Information about youth cancer services http://www.youthcancer.com.au/
Strategy: CanTeen
Purpose: To provide support to young people with cancer aged 12-25
Reason & further information:
This is one of the main organisations which supports young people with cancer. They provide a variety of tools to assist you such as counsellors, information, an online community where you can connect with others in a similar situation, and peer support programs. Email: [email protected], ph: 1800 835 932, http://www.canteen.org.au (free)
Strategy: Headspace
Purpose: To improve the wellbeing of young people aged 12-25
Reason & further information:
Provides info about mental health issues and counselling services which are delivered online, over the phone and/or face-to-face. You can access various health care professionals such as counsellors, psychologists, and social workers. Headspace centres are nationwide.
http://headspace.org.au/ (free or low cost)
Strategy: Beyondblue
Purpose: To help people protect and promote good mental health and wellbeing
Reason & further information:
Provides info about mental health issues and support services which are delivered online (forums, online chat with mental health professional, The BRAVE program for anxiety) and/or over the phone
Ph: 1300 22 4636 https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/home (free or cost of local phone call)
If you have any strategies that you know help you cope with a stressful situation, try using them again and see if they work. Before going into an exam at uni, I used to meditate. After my cancer diagnosis, I began practicing meditation daily which helped me feel calmer and less stressed, as it did before an exam.
Here are some of my suggestions that have helped me and some of my friends going through cancer treatment:
Strategy: Meditation
Purpose: To relax, reduce stress
Reason & further information:
Mindful Meditation CD. You can order a free copy through the Cancer Council by calling 13 11 20
Strategy: Mindfulness
Purpose: To relax, reduce stress
Reason & further information:
* What is mindfulness and meditation? http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/meditation.html
* ‘Smiling Mind’ – mindfulness app or website http://smilingmind.com.au/ (free)
Strategy: Exercise
Purpose: To improve mood but also has many other benefits including reducing risk of recurrence.
Reason & further information:
* Life Now program – Cancer Council WA https://www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/support-and-services/life-now/ (free) Includes yoga and exercise classes as well as meditation and cancer education seminars
* Go walking with a buddy – you are more likely to do it if someone else is goes with you
Strategy: Keep a journal/diary
Purpose: To offload and process emotions
Reason & further information:
Can be written form, photos, video, or combination
Strategy: Art
Purpose: Same as above and distraction
Reason & further information:
* Some hospitals have an art program for patients
* Check out if there are any classes in your local community
* Scar Stories creative program for 18-35 year olds http://www.scarstories.org/for-patients-survivors (free) sewing, painting, photography
Strategy: Music
Purpose: Distraction, reduce stress
Reason & further information:
Listening to music, playing an instrument, or singing. You could make a playlist with songs which have themes of survival and/or resilience
* Check out if there are any classes in your local community
http://www.redkite.org.au/support/music-therapists
Strategy: Hanging out with friends (animal and/or human variety)
Purpose: Distraction, reduce stress
Strategy: Audiobooks
Purpose: Distraction
Reason & further information:
Borrowbox – app which enables library members to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the comfort of your own home. You just need your membership number (free)
Strategy: Talk to your GP and/or cancer healthcare team
Purpose: To offload feelings, get support
Reason & further information:
There may be a psychologist attached to the oncology/haematology unit. Ask your doctor to be referred to them if you feel as though you would like some extra support. Psychologists can support you through your treatment, provide information and useful tips, and be there to talk to when you are feeling down
Strategy: Ask your Dr whether there is a youth cancer centre or service/health team for adolescents and young adults which you can be referred to
Purpose: To improve your wellbeing.
Reason & further information: Information about youth cancer services http://www.youthcancer.com.au/
Strategy: CanTeen
Purpose: To provide support to young people with cancer aged 12-25
Reason & further information:
This is one of the main organisations which supports young people with cancer. They provide a variety of tools to assist you such as counsellors, information, an online community where you can connect with others in a similar situation, and peer support programs. Email: [email protected], ph: 1800 835 932, http://www.canteen.org.au (free)
Strategy: Headspace
Purpose: To improve the wellbeing of young people aged 12-25
Reason & further information:
Provides info about mental health issues and counselling services which are delivered online, over the phone and/or face-to-face. You can access various health care professionals such as counsellors, psychologists, and social workers. Headspace centres are nationwide.
http://headspace.org.au/ (free or low cost)
Strategy: Beyondblue
Purpose: To help people protect and promote good mental health and wellbeing
Reason & further information:
Provides info about mental health issues and support services which are delivered online (forums, online chat with mental health professional, The BRAVE program for anxiety) and/or over the phone
Ph: 1300 22 4636 https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/home (free or cost of local phone call)
An important note from Nell: “While you’re reading these posts, please bear in mind the suggestions I have made are only suggestions and based on my personal experience. My blogs do not imply any endorsement, non-endorsement, support or commercial gain by the Behavioural Sciences Unit or by the Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital. I, and some other young people I know have found them helpful, but you may not. I hope that you do find something here beneficial, and that reading my story has made you feel like you are not alone in this battle.”
The Behavioural Sciences Unit is Proudly Supported by the Kids with Cancer Foundation.
The Behavioural Sciences Unit is Proudly Supported by the Kids with Cancer Foundation.
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