What is mental health?

Mental health is a form of mental well-being that is intrinsically connected to the state of the mind. In essence, it is a mental state that relates to how we evaluate and value ourselves within the context of our life. A cancer diagnosis will challenge anyone’s mental health. 

There are many factors that can impact your mental health during your journey. Some factors you won’t have any control over, such as your age or disease stage, but there is plenty you can do to improve your mental health and resilience.

Researchers in the field of mental health and cancer are currently looking into causal links between personal attributes and the mental health of cancer patients and their quality of life. 

Mental health challenges come in many different forms: 

• Coming to terms with your cancer diagnosis – Many people are not prepared for a cancer diagnosis and may be overwhelmed. Acknowledging that your emotions and thinking are affected is one of the biggest challenges and is the first step in seeking help for your mental well-being

• Questioning your self-efficacy – It can be tempting to compare your situation with other patients who have turned their lives around and have emerged as cancer survivors with more fulfilled and healthier lives than ever before, the so-called ‘super-patients’. Everyone is different. Everyone’s situation is different. Everyone’s cancer is different. Rely and trust your own feelings and seek help if you feel overwhelmed

• Choosing what type of relief or support is right for you – Your challenges are interrelated with your symptoms (such as pain) and the consequences of the disease or treatment (such as fatigue). It is important that you focus on yourself and your loved ones. Take one day at a time. Reach out and talk to your loved ones or oncologist team if you are feeling overwhelmed. Help is available to help you choose what works best for you!

Support 

Your doctor and wider oncology team are there for you and will be able to discuss support packages and remedy options. They will ask you some questions. Based on your answers, they will understand your feelings and challenges and how best to support you.

Your support team:

• Your doctor/oncology team – your wider oncology team will be able to help you if you are unsure what support you need or who you should talk to 

• Psycho-oncologist – these are licensed psychologists who are specialised in supporting people living with cancer 

• Psychologist

• Social worker

• Nurse

Types of support 

• Counselling

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (also known as CBT)

• Multidimensional rehabilitation programmes  

• Nutritional advice 

• Physical activities

• Educational programmes

• Music

• Group activities: some patients have organised group activities specifically for cancer patients, for example meditation and physical activities. Your oncology team or local organisations will be able to help with what is available in your area. Such activities can bring you together with other people living with cancer, bring you joy and a sense of achievement or well-being.

Considerations – Improving your mental health through building resilience

• What does mental well-being mean for you? – What works for one person may not work for all. Mental health is relative and can vary between people. It is important that you ask yourself if you need help with coping strategies. You can tailor what is available to your needs and preferences.

• Personal attributes – Promoting some personal attributes – such as resilience, self-efficacy, self-affirmation and self-esteem – may help you to better cope with the challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and long-term coping mechanisms. These attributes are associated with the notion of quality of life, hope, optimism and coping strategies. It all seems reasonable, but there is currently no robust scientific evidence that there is a causal link between these attributes and mental health or quality of life in people living with cancer. 

• What is the best way forward?  You may not find it easy to openly talk about your feelings and mental health with your loved ones. You may feel that you don’t want to burden them. Help is out there for you – reach out. Boosting your self-esteem and self-worth, feeling optimistic and hopeful, finding stress busters and coping mechanisms can improve your resilience, diminish feelings of anxiety and fear, and increase your overall quality of life.