Mental health in young adults

Mental health, like physical health, is important to your overall well-being. Your mental health guides how you handle stress, manage relationships, and make decisions. 

Emotions like sadness, anger, or stress are normal and healthy responses to difficult life events, such as a cancer diagnosis. However, sometimes persistent feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety can be caused by a mental health disorder. Don't ignore any of these feelings. Talk to your healthcare team about how you are feeling. 

Young adults and mental health

Young adults with cancer can be particularly at risk for mental health concerns. The practical challenges of managing a cancer diagnosis can impact mental health. The challenges young adults with cancer may face include: 

• Financial concerns
• Delaying major life events 
• Concerns around body image 
• Infertility
• Parenting young children
• Dating and relationships
• Caring for older parents

The cancer diagnosis may also be their first time dealing with a serious medical condition and navigating the often confusing and frustrating healthcare system. 

Be kind to your mind: Mental wellness box

Cancer can turn life upside down—physically, emotionally, socially. Some days might feel manageable, and others might feel heavy, confusing, or just plain unfair. There’s no right way to go through this.

We created this free package to give young adults (ages 18-39) with a blood cancer diagnosis strategies and tools to “Be Kind to Your Mind.”  The box includes educational materials, a journal, hat, socks and more fun surprises. Fill out the order form or call 800-955-4572 to order yours. 

Body image and self-esteem

Almost every person struggles with image and self-esteem at some point, but cancer survivors may face unique challenges due to the side effects of cancer treatment such as hair loss, weight loss, weight gain and/or skin changes. It’s normal to feel differently about your body after a cancer diagnosis, with or without visible changes. It takes time to get to know your body after cancer. For ideas to feel more comfortable, view, download or order Navigating life after a cancer diagnosis: For young adults. 

Connecting with other young adult survivors

To connect with others, Blood Cancer United offers: 

• Blood Cancer United Community, an online meeting place to talk to others and receive resources
• YA Connect: Young Adults Living with Blood Cancer, a weekly online chat, moderated by an oncology social worker 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection® program for peer-to-peer support
• Family Support Groups  
• Sunday Funday, virtual meetups with activities such as art classes, cooking demonstrations, games and more

You can also reach out to our Blood Cancer United  Information Specialists at (800) 955-4572 for more about these and other resources. Ask your healthcare team about local support groups.  

What you can do to support your mental health

To support and improve you mental health, you can: 

• Understand that your cancer doesn't define who you are. Be in touch and connect with people and activities that are separate from your cancer diagnosis. You are more than a cancer patient, and there are many more aspects to your life than cancer.
• Set small, manageable goals. For example, if you find it hard to get out of bed, set a goal of accomplishing just one thing a day: make a phone call, cook dinner, take a walk—whatever works best for you.
• Don't isolate yourself. Try to have social interaction at least once a day with someone outside of the healthcare community.
• Strive for some light physical activity. It can be as simple as going outside to the mailbox each day. Gradually build up the amount of activity you can handle.
• Try to engage in activities beyond the cancer experience. Read a magazine article, listen to a book on tape, or watch a sitcom. Whether what you do is mundane or meaningful, the point is to get your mind off how you feel.
• Journal. Writing down your feelings can help you work through and process your emotions. Order the free Blood Cancer United Write It Out journal. 
• Try creative outlets. Painting, drawing, knitting, making music or other creative projects can help with stress management. Remember the point isn’t to be the best or most professional. It’s to enjoy the process!  
• Talk to your healthcare team about your mental health. Learn the signs of possible mental health disorders, and seek professional care if you need it. 

When to ask for help for mental health concerns  

Although everyone can benefit from caring for their mental health, the following are signs that you may need additional mental health support from a professional: 

• Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or helplessness
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sleep disturbances or excessive sleeping
• Overeating or a loss of appetite
• A loss of interest in hobbies or activities that you once enjoyed
• An inability to focus or concentrate, make decisions, or remember details
• Headaches, stomachaches or digestive problems, cramps, and other aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Seek medical advice if your symptoms or mood doesn't improve over time. If you're feeling anxious, sad, or depressed during most of every day for two weeks and if these symptoms impact your daily activities, ask your doctor for help and guidance. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, dial 988 to talk to a trained mental health professional. The  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and always available. For the Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741.

Treatment for mental health

Common mental health disorders of people diagnosed with cancer are: 

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

Your best resource for a diagnosis is a trained mental health professional who will make an accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan for you.You may benefit from working with a mental health professional, such as a counselor or therapist, to learn to identify, understand, and cope with emotions. Even if you do not have symptoms of clinical depression or anxiety, you can still benefit from talking to a mental health professional. 

Medication can also help with the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many people take medication to improve these symptoms. 

How to find a mental health provider

 To find a mental health provider, you can: 

• Ask your doctor or insurance provider for a referral
• Visit the Find a Social Worker tool for help in searching for local or online mental health professionals
• Visit Association of Oncology Social Workers to find an oncology social worker (OSW) near you.
• Ask family or friends for a recommendation