Finding support for your mental health

Doctors can prescribe medication to help manage the symptoms of mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Some will have side effects, so make sure you talk through your options with your medical team before you try medication. Medication often works well in combination with a type of talking therapy.

This means talking to a trained professional about your feelings and the ways you react to them. Some examples of talking therapies include ‘counselling’ and ‘psychotherapy’. You’ll have a one-to-one conversation with a therapist either in-person or online. For more information, head to our section on talking therapies.

If you like the idea of talking therapy but would prefer not to talk to a therapist for any reason, it’s possible to try some things on your own. A variety of self-help books and online information will guide you through the process at a pace you feel comfortable with.

You can join specific support groups related to mental health after stem cell transplant. Understanding and sharing this experience with other people can really help. For more information, head to our section on support groups.

Certain charities, hospitals or other organisations run cancer centres where you can talk to experts and medical professionals, as well as people who have experienced cancer. For more information, head to our section on cancer centres.

Some people use natural remedies and spiritual practices to help improve their mental wellbeing during recovery. For more information, head to our section on alternative therapies.

Across the UK, there are hundreds of useful organisations offering mental wellbeing advice and support to anyone who needs it. You can find them in person, online or even call them for a chat. For more information, head to our section on useful organisations.

On the simplest level, CBT has two main focuses:

• what we think about (cognitive)
• how we react or things we do (behaviour).

We tend to react in a certain way towards negative thoughts, which can in turn make us feel worse. CBT is about learning to identify and challenge unhelpful or inaccurate thoughts and beliefs. This can be very helpful for many people during recovery from stem cell transplant.

CBT helps you recognise when you’re having negative thoughts and develop coping strategies to react in a more balanced way. Your therapist will work with you on this and set you goals to work on between sessions.

For more information on CBT, you can visit the NHS website or the Mind website.

In a counselling session, your therapist will listen to your concerns and how you are feeling, without judgement. They won’t tell you what you should do to make things better, but will work with you to find your own solutions to your problems.

Counselling can help you cope with all sorts of mental health or wellbeing issues, including:

• depression
• anxiety
• difficulties related to medical complications after transplant, like fertility or body image.

You don’t have to do counselling face-to-face. You can do it over the phone, by video call, or even by typing to each other online if you prefer.

It can feel reassuring to spend time around people who are going through something similar to you. You might be able to:

• realise that other people share common thoughts and feelings
• put your experiences in context of other people’s
• pick up some tips about coping with your condition that you hadn’t thought of before.

Hospitals, charities and organisations often set up local support groups for group therapy.

If NHS waiting lists are taking too long, or you decide you want to see someone for longer than the sessions offered, you could consider paying for private therapy. In some cases, it can cost a lot of money.

If you would like private therapy but it’s too expensive, some therapists or organisations may offer:

• a free taster session so you can feel more confident that it’s the right option for you
• reduced rates for people on low incomes or for students.

Your workplace may offer counselling sessions as an employee benefit, or help with the costs as part of your return to work. Speak to your HR department to discuss your options.

You could also apply to charities and other organisations for funding, including our Anthony Nolan grants. For more details, see our page on help with your finances.

You can find a registered, private therapist through the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) website.

Lots of people feel isolated during recovery from a stem cell transplant – it often feels like nobody around you truly understands what you’re going through. Although your friends and family will be as supportive as they can, it’s not the same as talking to someone experiencing the same thing.

In a support group, you can talk to other people who have experienced everything related to stem cell transplants. With them, you can:

• share your concerns about your thoughts and feelings
• hear about how they deal with or have dealt with problems
• help yourself to put your own situation in context
• give each other support and encouragement.

Macmillan offer signposts to these types of services for people with any type of cancer, including blood cancers – visit the In Your Area page. Your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) can also give you information on services in your area.

Online support like chatrooms and forums could suit people who don’t like the idea of sharing their feelings in a face-to-face support group. You can take your time and be as involved in the discussion as you like.

You might also find comfort in reading about the experiences of other people, without feeling like you have to contribute or share your story in response.

Some useful online support groups include:

• Anthony Nolan Patients and Families Forum – You can read and talk about a wide range of topics related to stem cell transplants.
• Macmillan’s Online Community – Explore and discuss many subjects related to living with cancer and cancer treatments, including your mental wellbeing.