A cancer diagnosis can significantly affect not only the physical health of rangatahi but also their mental well-being. For rangatahi, facing cancer can be especially difficult, as they are in a distinctive phase of social, emotional, and cognitive development. Mental health challenges can arise at any point during their cancer journey. 

This resource explores helpful insights and coping strategies for rangatahi impacted by cancer. 

 Coping strategies for rangatahi impacted by cancer: 

While the mental health challenges may be significant, there are effective strategies that can help rangatahi cope: 

• Open Communication: Encouraging honest discussions about feelings and fears with family, friends, and healthcare providers can provide essential support. Sharing experiences helps validate emotions and alleviate feelings of isolation. 
• Professional Support: Connecting with mental health professionals, such as psychologists or counsellors at Canteen, can be advantageous. They can offer personalised coping strategies and therapeutic support to help navigate the emotional challenges of mental health and cancer. 
• Peer Support Groups: Engaging with other rangatahi facing similar struggles can create a sense of community and understanding. Peer-to-peer groups provide a safe environment to share experiences, offer encouragement, and build lasting friendships. 
• Keeping busy: Staying occupied can serve as a helpful distraction. This might involve pursuing a hobby that remains accessible, diving into a good book or TV show, or exploring audiobooks, podcasts, and music. 
• Mindfulness & Self-care: Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can effectively reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being. Participating in self-care activities - like nourishing the body, seeking comfort, managing pain and side effects, and other forms of self-nurturing - can also be beneficial. These techniques foster resilience and help rangatahi cope more effectively with stress. 

• Creative Outlets: Encouraging creative expression through art, music, or writing can provide a therapeutic way to process emotions. Engaging in creative activities can help rangatahi find joy and make sense of their feelings during challenging times. 

   

For those grieving the loss of a loved one due to cancer, it's important to remember that there's no right or wrong way to feel. Grief has no rules - there is no set road map and you might even find that you experience a whole range of different emotions. That’s perfectly normal and fine. Be kind to yourself and don’t place too much pressure on yourself to think or feel a particular way.    

A cancer diagnosis, whether it be your own or a member of your whānau, can have profound effects on the mental health of rangatahi, leading to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. 

With the right support and coping strategies, rangatahi can navigate the challenges they face. It is vital for families, friends, and communities to come together to provide the necessary support, helping rangatahi to cope during cancer.

No one apart from those impacted by a cancer diagnosis knows best how they might feel at the moment, or what they might need. Sometimes, this can be hard to decipher without professional advice. Getting the right information, advice, and support can really help.  

Canteen is here to support rangatahi aged 12-24 impacted by cancer. We can help rangatahi manage changing dynamics, provide individual support, and connect rangatahi with others who understand what rangatahi are going through.