An Overview of Psychosocial Support Services

Abstract

Cancer has the potential of threatening all of a person's resources: physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and economic. It is as if the experience of cancer takes on a life cycle of its own that starts with the shock of diagnosis and continues well beyond the completion of treatment. Psychosocial support services of various types need to be made available throughout the cancer experience. Participation in these services affords people the opportunity to learn positive coping skills, to recognize that they are not alone, to discover how to enjoy living in the present, and to attach a different meaning to the words "hope" and "healing." Restoring a sense of wholeness to one's mind, body, and spirit is equally as important as receiving the most effective therapy for the cancer.

A Private Caregiver ListServ: Maximum Benefit for Minimum Cost

“…See Table 3 for more expressions of gratitude for the group. As expressed above, the members of the caregiver group receive support, comfort, validation, and understanding from their participation in the ListServ (Alemi et al, 1996;Johnson, 2000;Klemm et al, 1998;White et al, 2000). They encourage one another and confirm the difficulty each encounters caring for the patient, the children, the finances, and the assumption of all responsibilities once held by the patient (Hibbard et al, 2002;Klemm & Wheeler, 2006;Parks & Novielli, 2000).…”

“…These are their people, the ones who live the same lives that they do, with all of the disappointments, fears, and anxiety. For pennies a day comfort is provided to all these families (Johnson, 2000). Although not quantified at this time, it is suspected that the ListServ has the potential to reduce the number of calls to the medical providers and, thus, create a cost of care reduction for health care in general.…”

Creating Optimal Healing Environments for Patients with Cancer and Their Families: Insights, Challenges, and Lessons Learned from a Decade of Experience

“…Support groups can also provide an important opportunity for patients to begin to expand their identity beyond that of being someone who is ill, or a victim of their disease. [45][46][47][48] For a variety of reasons, many patients and/or family members resist participation in formal support groups. 46,47 There are numerous other avenues that can provide patients with meaningful support, including religious groups, clergy, clubs and organizations, family and friends.…”

“…46,47 There are numerous other avenues that can provide patients with meaningful support, including religious groups, clergy, clubs and organizations, family and friends. 48,49 For many, the best approach is to gather support from a combination of sources.…”

Help Me Help You: Support Groups in Cancer Therapy

“…Patients are encouraged to utilize and recognize their own strengths, to become more aware, to recognize that they are not alone, and to enjoy living in the moment. All of these aspects restore wholeness to one's sense of mind, body, and spirit [19,20].…”