Mental Health and Emotional Support During Cancer Care

Support for the emotional and practical challenges of cancer

Cancer can affect your emotional well-being, relationships, daily life, and ability to cope.

At the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, we provide easily accessible, state-of-the-art treatment for the psychological distress often experienced during cancer treatment.

Our service includes two complementary areas of support:

• Oncology social workers offer individual and family counseling, guidance, and connections to practical resources for patients and families
• Our psychiatric oncology team includes psychiatrists and psychologists with specialized training in caring for people affected by cancer. Team members bring expertise in areas such as symptom management, phobias, grief and bereavement, sexual health, coping with uncertainty, and the emotional effects of cancer and cancer treatment

We pay close attention to how cancer and treatment may affect your mood, anxiety, thinking, and day-to-day life. Depending on your needs, we may adjust medications, help you understand the emotional and medical aspects of your care, and offer practical strategies to manage symptoms and feel more supported.

Together with your cancer care team, they provide personalized support to help you navigate challenges and improve your quality of life throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and beyond.

Services available to you during cancer care

Emotional and practical support during cancer care

Oncology social workers are licensed mental health professionals who help patients and families cope with the emotional and practical challenges of cancer.

They provide:

• Counseling and guidance for concerns related to adjustment, relationships, caregiving, communicating with children, loss, grief, and more
• Help with navigating the health care system, coordinating support, and finding resources for transportation, government benefits, community programs, and other practical needs
• Support for patients and families facing more complex concerns, such as mental health challenges, substance use, or safety at home

Specialized psychiatric care during cancer treatment

Cancer and its treatment can affect your mood, anxiety, behavior, ability to think clearly, and overall well-being. Our psychiatric oncology specialists understand the complex relationship between physical and mental health and provide care that works safely alongside your cancer treatment.

Our psychiatric oncologists provide:

• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation: Our psychiatrists have had advanced sub-specialty training in the psychiatric care of patients with cancer. Evaluation of the psychological and medical factors that may contribute to distress, including the effects of cancer, treatment side effects, medications, and the stress of living with illness
• Psychiatric medication support during cancer treatment: Careful review of how psychiatric medications may interact with cancer treatments to help avoid drug interactions and worsening side effects
• Personalized treatment recommendations: Guidance to help address changes in mood, anxiety, thinking, and overall well-being during cancer care
• Support groups: A place for patients and families to connect with others facing similar challenges