Psychological Support

Being affected by cancer can have a significant emotional and psychological impact at any stage, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Psychological support helps people cope with the emotional challenges of cancer and its treatment.

Psychological support may include:

  • Emotional support and counselling
  • Psychological therapies
  • Support for anxiety, low mood, or distress
  • Help for families and carers

Support needs may change over time, and services should be flexible and responsive.

Accessing support

Psychological support may be available through:

  • Hospital cancer teams
  • Specialist psychological services
  • Community and voluntary sector organisations

People affected by cancer should be encouraged to talk to their healthcare team about emotional well being as part of routine care.

Our role

We work with partners to:

  • Improve access to psychological support
  • Reduce variation in provision
  • Embed emotional well-being within cancer pathways

Related pages

  • Information and support
  • Personalised stratified follow-up (PFSU)
  • Patient information

Watch this video on how psychological medicine may support your care – No One Left Behind