Cancer Australia

Many people will seek emotional support throughout their lives for lots of different reasons. It can be difficult to ask for help.

Tips for raising the issue of emotional and practical care “I’ve been having trouble sleeping/feeling really down/feeling like I’m not coping lately and I’ve heard there are treatments that can help. Can I talk to you about this?” “I haven’t been coping as well as I want to, and I feel like I need some help managing. Do you know about services that can help me with this?” “I read something about emotional care for people with cancer. I’ve realised that I find it very hard to cope sometimes and I would like to talk to someone about it.”

Talking to a health professional about how you are feeling doesn’t mean you are ‘crazy’ or weak. It’s normal – just like it’s normal to seek professional help for an injury or pain.

Some people who are having trouble coping don’t necessarily want to seek professional help. Some women find after talking with their doctor that they feel they can manage on their own with. While it’s good to seek help when needed, it’s also fine to manage on your own with the support of your family and friends. Or perhaps you would prefer to talk to someone who has been through a similar situation. This could be through peer support.

The main thing is to continue to be aware of your reactions to stressful events and any changes in your mood, feelings and energy levels. If things change, you may decide down the track that some professional support would be helpful.