Mental Health - Patient Empowerment Network

There’s a stunning statistic that one in four cancer patients experience depression (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/depression-hp-pdq). Depression isn’t just feeling sad, as is natural with a cancer diagnosis. Depression is a real medical diagnosis with symptoms, which can range from lack of interest, weight gain and insomnia to suicidal ideation. Most importantly, depression is a condition with a wider than ever range of treatments.

I love the lyric from Taylor Swift’s new song: “I’m so depressed I act like it’s my birthday every day.” That’s MY flavor of depression: I have always seemed to be the happiest, least mental health-impacted person you’ve ever met, but that’s not the case. My outside did not match my inside. In 2006, I sought help and began taking antidepressants. I’m so fortunate that i was already taking care of my emotional and mental health when I got my cancer diagnosis in 2010. We adjusted, rather than starting from scratch.

After getting the right balance of medication and therapy, I felt so much better that I pledged I’d wear a sign saying “I’m on psych meds” if it would help someone else. So that’s this message. It’s okay to NOT be okay. It’s NOT okay to not try to get help.

If you have tooth pain, you’re going to the dentist, right? Even better, you go for regular cleanings and exams to prevent more serious issues. And, you do your own part to keep problems at bay by brushing and flossing. There are mental health equivalents to all those parts of dental health, and this list will help you find resources.

Crisis Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call or Text 988
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
Veterans Crisis Line – Text 838255 or call 800-273-8255 and press 1
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services – 800-662-4357
LGBTQ+ National Hotline – 888-843-4564
Hope for Wellness Help Line – 1-855-242-3310
The Trevor Project– Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678. A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
Trans Lifeline– Dial 877-565-8860 for US and 877-330-6366 for Canada. Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers.

Therapy Resources:

SonderMind– matches you to a licensed therapist and offer in-person and online therapy. Many insurance/health plans accepted. Talk to a SonderMind Wellness Coordinator: (844) THERAPY.
TalkSpace: Online mental health treatment options, including psychiatry. Many insurance/health plans accepted.
GrowTherapy: Online mental health treatment options, including psychiatry. Many insurance/health plans accepted.
Headway: Online mental health treatment options, including psychiatry. Many insurance/health plans accepted.
Therapy for Black Girls: Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Therapist listing for both in-person and virtual therapy. Many therapists are covered by health plans/insurance.
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: The directory is an interactive digital resource that helps QTPoC locate QTPoC mental health practitioners across the country.
Latinx Therapy: On-line directory and digital resource that helps locate culturally attuned and inclusive therapy for Latinx community. Some therapists accept insurance/health care plans.
Psychology Today – Therapist Finder – A tool to find therapists near you with filters for specific issues like cancer-related psychological distress.
Valera– Online mental health treatment options, including psychiatry. Many insurance/health plans accepted.
7 Cups – Provides online therapy and free support from volunteers trained in emotional support.
Mental Health America– General mental health resources that can be very useful for those dealing with cancer-related stress.
GoodTherapy– Another therapy directory that helps individuals find therapists with specific experience supporting cancer patients and their families.