For people of every age, a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing, stressful turn of events. For children, this is especially true. They may not understand what is going on, why they feel so terrible, or how they’re going to get better.
The hospital, medications, and medical procedures can be frightening for adults...and doubly so for children.
Studies show that a cancer diagnosis has significant consequences on the patient’s mental health. One in three people with cancer experience emotional distress. A quarter of cancer patients experience depression, while 45% experience anxiety. Cancer survivors may display symptoms of PTSD as well.
There’s also a link between mental health and physical health. Good mental health can improve physical health outcomes.
So how can we, as caregivers, parents, and community members, encourage mental wellbeing and self-care in childhood cancer patients?
Here are a few tips:
What brings your child joy? Do they enjoy being outdoors? Expressing themselves through art? Whatever it is your child loves to do, continue to encourage that behavior (so long as it is cleared by their care team). It’s okay to step back and not think about cancer for a little while. Your child might enjoy a variety of activities — reading, drawing, going to the zoo, playing sports, or hanging out with their friends.
While health considerations may limit these activities, do your best to find ways to make them happen in safe ways. As friends and community members, you can ask what the patient loves and supply the family with a care basket filled with those activities: from stuffed animals to tickets to a favorite sporting event.
Sleep is essential to physical and mental wellbeing. This is when our brains recharge and our bodies repair. Stress can make sleep challenging, particularly when your child is experiencing overnight stays in the hospital. Do your best to ensure that your child feels safe and comfortable in their sleeping environment.
Social support greatly improves cancer outcomes. For kids and teens, that social support might not look like an adult’s social network — but that doesn’t mean theirs is any less valuable. Being able to meaningfully connect with friends and family throughout their cancer journey improves mental and emotional wellbeing. It could be regular phone calls and facetime or quality time in person with family members.
Regardless, cancer can be an isolating experience. Encourage your child to stay connected to the people they enjoy being around.
A cancer journey is filled with complex feelings and emotions. Journaling can help a child or teen process their feelings healthily. If they’re old enough to write, encourage them to keep a journal that chronicles their thoughts and feelings. Acknowledging and sitting with these feelings can prevent undue aggression or other unhealthy coping tactics.
If your child is not old enough to write or self-reflect in this way, try having a daily conversation. Ask them how certain events of the day made them feel and discuss why they might feel that way. Validate their feelings but nudge them towards healthy self-expression.
Exercise might be the last thing on your child’s mind. Their treatment may make them feel too tired or weak to get physically active. Exercise, however, can help clear the mind, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing. They don’t have to do a lot — just get up and get moving, even if it’s only for twenty minutes.
Find a physical activity that they enjoy: playing catch or frisbee, dancing, swimming, sports, or just taking a walk in the park.
They say that laughter is the best medicine. While laughter isn’t a cure-all, it’s certainly good for one’s mental health. What makes your child laugh? Corny jokes? Playing small pranks? Getting a surprise? Find space for laughter, even in these difficult times. We can easily become too serious and focused on cancer, losing sight of the good, fun things that remain. Find opportunities for your child to laugh, enjoy themselves, and have time to be a kid again.
As a community of friends, families, and neighbors, we can come together to improve outcomes for childhood cancer patients...and together, we’ll kick cancer!