In this blog, Emily Lambert, our Senior Programme Delivery Coordinator, gives us her thoughts on mental health.

Before joining Answer Cancer, I worked in a secondary care community mental health team as a trauma-informed practitioner, supporting people with complex mental health needs. I also completed a Level 3 qualification in counselling skills, which included a placement with Cancer Support in Bradford, where I supported people living with and affected by cancer.

I’m also currently training as a mind-body practitioner, learning more about the nervous system, how stress affects us, and the ways we can support our minds and bodies when things feel overwhelming.

Through these experiences, I’ve seen how important it is to look after our mental wellbeing, particularly during difficult and uncertain times. So, for World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share some of the things I’ve learnt along the way and a few gentle tools that may be helpful if you or someone you love is struggling.

Cancer and our mental health

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it’s completely understandable for your mental health to be affected as you begin to process what a diagnosis might mean for you and the people you love.

Shock, fear, anxiety, sadness and stress can leave you feeling overwhelmed, worried or completely unlike yourself. Treatment, procedures and surgery can bring their own worries too, alongside concerns about work, finances, family and everyday life.

Sometimes, frightening or uncertain situations can trigger our body’s stress response, often described as fight, flight or freeze. We may feel anxious about what might happen next, find ourselves dwelling on what has already happened, or simply feel numb and disconnected from everything.

At Answer Cancer, we wanted to share some gentle things that might help when things feel particularly tough, as well as places you can turn to for further support.

Some gentle tools to keep in your toolbox 💚

  • Meditation and mindfulness Guided meditation can give you something to focus on when your thoughts feel overwhelming
  • Breathing exercises Taking a few moments to slow down and focus on your breathing can be a simple way to bring some calm to your mind and body when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
  • Gentle movement If you feel able to, gentle yoga, stretching or mindful movement may help you to relax and reconnect with your body.
  • Get outside 🌿A gentle walk, sitting in the garden or simply spending a little time outdoors can give you some breathing space when everything feels too much.
  • Get creative 🎨Journalling, drawing, painting, crafts, board games or listening to music can provide an outlet for how you’re feeling, or simply give your mind something else to focus on for a little while.
  • Rest and listen to your body You don’t always need to be doing something. Sometimes what your mind and body need most is rest.

Most importantly, these things aren’t about putting pressure on yourself to stay positive or to “cope well”. There is no right or wrong way to feel after a cancer diagnosis and different things will work for different people.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you can speak to your cancer care team, clinical nurse specialist or GP about how you’re feeling and the support that may be available.

There are also lots of useful resources and organisations that can help:

 

And remember: you don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable before asking for help. Your mental health matters too.