The cancer support team is a team of psychologists and social workers who provide free support to you and your whānau (family), to help cope with some of the difficulties of having cancer.
What psychologists can help with
Psychologists help find ways to cope when you are feeling:
- down
- stressed
- upset
- worried.
They can also help with:
- making decisions
- coping with change and loss
- pain and low energy.
What social workers can help with
Social workers provide support to help people with difficult feelings and situations.
Social workers can talk to people about:
- work
- finances
- childcare
- transport
- planning for the future.
Social workers can help link people with community agencies, and support them to understand and get through the health system.
What to do if you have a concern not related to cancer
We are unable to see people whose issues do not relate to cancer. Your psychological or social issue must be resulting from your cancer, or having an impact on your cancer treatment.
If we cannot see you in our service, we will help you find appropriate support.
Who we see
We see:
- people who are 16 years and older who have been told they might have cancer
- people who have a new diagnosis or recurrence of cancer
- people who are having cancer treatment.
Support from whānau
Whānau can be seen with the patient.
If appropriate, and if the patient consents, we are able to see whānau without the patient present.
If whānau members require their own individual support, we will help them find appropriate support.