How Caregivers Can Support Cancer Survivors’ Mental Health

Cancer can take a toll on survivors’ mental health; they can often feel stressed and overwhelmed. Cancer survivors may feel emotional distress like depression, fear, and anxiety after being diagnosed with cancer. Others have trouble remembering things or paying attention as a result of their cancer treatment. Some survivors have only mild symptoms for a short time, while others have more severe symptoms that interfere with their normal daily activities, work, and personal relationships. Unfortunately, fewer than one-third of survivors who have mental health concerns talk to their doctor about them, and many survivors do not use services like professional counseling or support groups.

What Can You Do?

• Be sensitive to the survivor’s emotional needs, and help him or her manage stress and talk about his or her feelings.
• Encourage the survivor to seek help such as joining a support group.
• Talk to psychologists or social workers to find appropriate and affordable mental health and social support services.
• Help the survivor lead a physically active life. Physical activity has been linked to lower rates of depression among cancer survivors.