Emotional and Mental Health Support
Emotional and Mental Health Support at Ovarian Cancer Australia (psychosocial services)
Having trusted family and friends to support you following an ovarian cancer diagnosis is incredibly beneficial. Research indicates that a large proportion of people with ovarian cancer will at some stage experience significant distress and require additional supports.
One of the indicators that additional supports for your emotional wellbeing may be needed is when your distress is somewhat constant most days and gets in the way of doing the things important to you.
Seeking support for managing difficult thoughts and emotions is not a sign of weakness, or poor coping. It’s a good idea
The psychosocial support service at OCA comprises a team of experienced and specialised oncology psychologists, counsellors and mental health social workers.
What can the psychosocial support team help with?
The psychosocial support team can provide support for a range of difficulties including anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence, low mood, sleep problems, cancer-related fatigue, difficulties with body image and intimacy, practical concerns such as financial stress and returning to work, family and relationship difficulties and changes to identity and self-esteem.
Support is also available for partners and adult children who feel they would benefit from speaking to someone about their own distress supporting a loved one with ovarian cancer. Some of the areas of support for family members include caregiver burnout, anticipatory grief, relationship difficulties, anxiety and low mood.
What help is available?
Ovarian Cancer Australia can provide the following support to people impacted by ovarian cancer, family members and carers:
One on one counselling via telephone or video telehealth
Peer support groups in person and via telehealth
Assistance linking in with other support services
Practical support (e.g., assistance with finances, housing, transport)
Written evidence based and information resources
Grief and Bereavement counselling for adult family members
Specialised support clinics including a sleep clinic, sexual health clinic and support for advanced cancer clinic.
Other support options include:
Speaking to your local GP about a referral to a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
Speak to a member of your treating team or cancer clinician about access to hospital allied health staff which may include a psychologist, social worker, pastoral care worker, music therapist, art therapist, dietician or exercise physiologist.
Contact your local cancer council for free telephone counselling support.
Complete the mind care plan at cancermindcare.org.au and take to your GP or cancer clinician.
Speak to your local community or local council about supports available in your area.
Contact your local community adult mental health triage team.
More information
If you would like to discuss accessing support from the psychosocial support team, please contact the Helpline on 1300 660 334 (Monday-Friday during business hours AET) or email support@ovariancancer.net.au
If you or your family member is already linked in with the teal support program, speak to your support nurse about a referral to the OCA psychosocial support service.
If you need urgent mental health support you can contact your local mental health crisis support team or one of the 24/7 telephone services such as Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. Otherwise, if you are experiencing a mental health emergency and need immediate support, call 000 or attend your local hospital emergency department.
