Anthony Nolan Patients and Families 13.05.16, Photography by Danny J. Peace, www.dannyjpeace.com

Finding support for your mental health

Nobody expects you to deal with everything alone during recovery. On this page, we explain how you can find mental health support from people around you, as well as from charities, organisations and medical professionals.

Why might I need mental health support?

After your stem cell transplant, you might be struggling with your mental health more than you did before. But you don’t have to wait until you feel really low, extremely anxious or overwhelmed before seeking help. Poor mental health can affect anybody at any time.

Many people turn to family and friends for advice when things get tough, but you might also benefit from professional support. Getting support could form part of a wider strategy for looking after your mental health.

However you choose to access support, it might not make your problems go away. But it should help you see things more clearly and make it easier to deal with them.

I'm really lucky that I have good support around me.

Wendy, who had a stem cell transplant to treat Hodgkin lymphoma

What types of support could I try?

When you’re deciding what type of mental health support you might want to try, you’ll come across lots of options. Some of the most common types of support include:

Medication

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Talking therapies

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Self-help

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Support groups

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Cancer centres

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Alternative therapies

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Useful organisations

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If you need some inspiration on what to try, you could ask other people on our Patients and Families Forum.

Types of talking therapies

In talking therapy, your therapist will usually start by asking how you’re feeling and what’s making you feel that way. Together you’ll discuss your reaction to these feelings and find ways to try changing your thoughts so you feel more in control.

Although talking therapies help a lot of people in their recovery from stem cell transplant, they aren’t for everyone. Some people try them and find no real benefit. There’s nothing wrong with this and it certainly isn’t your fault – maybe the timing wasn’t right, or another approach would suit you better.

I really benefitted from sitting down and talking to someone who was not personally involved. I had underestimated the value of that kind of therapeutic chatting. Sometimes you just need to take a step away from yourself.

Crispin, who had a stem cell transplant

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

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Counselling

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Group therapy

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Private therapy

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Support groups

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Online support groups

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How do I access talking therapies?

If you’d like to try a talking therapy, your medical team or GP can refer you. If you’re experiencing problems with depression or anxiety, it’s possible to access free treatment in England through the NHS Talking Therapies Programme.

Anthony Nolan also offers a free Telephone Emotional Support service specifically for people who have had a stem cell transplant, as well as their families. If you think this might be helpful to you, email our team to arrange an appointment: patientinfo@anthonynolan.org.

I’ve had a lot of satisfaction from joining the Anthony Nolan Patients and Families Forum. It has definitely helped in my recovery process to know that there are others I can share my experiences with who understand. I would recommend it to everybody – patients, family and carers.

Peter, who had a stem cell transplant

Cancer centres

Some charities fund purpose-built cancer centres which you’ll often find onsite in hospitals. These centres provide a calm and tranquil place for people to focus on their recovery and mental wellbeing.

Specially trained health professionals run these centres. They provide information and activities related to cancer and recovery, including:

  • nutrition and health advice
  • financial advice
  • emotional support
  • recreational classes
  • professional talks
  • support groups.

In some cases, you don’t need to live nearby to get support – they might be able to offer help on the phone or online. You can visit these charities’ websites to find out more about your nearest cancer centre:

Please note most cancer centres are only able to support people who have had a stem cell transplant to treat a blood cancer. If you had a transplant to treat a blood disorder, you can’t usually access these services.

When I persuaded my husband to go a local Maggie’s Centre he finally started to feel better inside himself. His mental state had taken a considerable battering and that was something that I couldn’t help with. Maggie’s Centre were brilliant and he came away feeling more confident and calm – things that we all as a family benefited from!

Kate, whose husband had a stem cell transplant

Alternative therapies

Some people believe that alternative therapies and medicines have the power to benefit their mental and emotional recovery, as well as improving physical symptoms. You might also hear these called ‘complementary therapies’.

Some examples of these include:

  • spiritual healing
  • hypnotherapy
  • reflexology
  • herbal and natural remedies
  • different types of massage
  • reiki (a form of ‘energy healing’)
  • acupuncture.

If you want to explore one of these options, you must discuss it with your team first so they can check that it’s safe for you. You can read about some of these in more detail on the Cancer Research UK website.

Remember:

While these might work well for some people, the advice we give on our website and in our resources is based on clinical research only. Our information has been approved by medical professionals and we can only recommend that you follow the advice of your medical team or GP.

Useful organisations for mental health support

British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

01455 883300

Information about counselling and registered therapists across the UK.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

0800 58 58 58

A suicide prevention charity offering online information and support, as well as a helpline for people who are struggling, or if you’re worried about someone.

Childline

0800 11 11

Information, advice and support for under 19s by phone and email support service, with free 1-2-1 counsellors and through online message boards.

Macmillan Cancer Support

0808 808 00 00

Practical, financial and emotional support for people with cancer, their family and friends.

Maggie’s

0300 123 1801

Maggie’s helps anyone affected by cancer. Talk to and get support from a range of professionals in any topic related to your treatment or recovery.

Mind

Infoline: 0300 123 3393

Support line: 0300 102 1234

Provides information and helplines for people who need support for their mental health or wellbeing.

Mind Over Cancer

A charity offering mental health support to young people up to 29 years old who have had a cancer diagnosis, as well as their families. Also offers a free counselling service.

The Mix

Text THEMIX to 85258

A service for young people up to 25 years old offering a crisis text line, webchat, counselling and mental health information and advice.

NHS Talking Therapies Programme

Allows people to self-refer to NHS-funded counselling and therapy services available in their local area.

On My Mind

Offers support and resources for young people who need help with their mental health and wellbeing, with a search tool to find local services for young people up to 25.

Relate

Offers information and advice on relationships, as well as counselling and sex therapy. You can book a call with them or visit a centre in the UK.

Samaritans

116 123
Offers a free, confidential helpline where you can talk about anything at all, 24 hours a day.

Shout

Text SHOUT to 85258

Offers a free, confidential and 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs support for mental health and wellbeing.

YoungMinds

A mental health information and support service for young people, as well as their parents, carers or guardians.

Information published: 31/10/2024

Next review due: 31/10/2027