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As Mental Health Awareness Week and Blue September draw
to a close, Peter Dickens, CEO of the Prostate Cancer
Foundation is keen to make sure New Zealand men living with
prostate cancer, and at risk of increased mental distress,
know that free counselling and support is available to them
24/7 via the Prostate Cancer Foundation Counselling
Service.
In 2021, the Prostate Cancer Foundation
(PCFNZ) partnered with leading mental health and wellbeing
provider, Raise, to assist men affected by a prostate cancer
diagnosis. The service provides comprehensive support, from
a network of counsellors and psychologists in times of
emotional distress.
“To date the service has
assisted 42 men who without access to this support, may not
have had a positive outcome. The service uses counsellors
who are educated on prostate cancer and can provide support
to men living with the disease,” says Dickens.
Raise
counsellor Claire Gard previously worked for the Prostate
Cancer Foundation and brings a unique insight into the scale
of the disease and the impact it has on men and their
families.
“Many men, and their whānau, struggle
with their mental health and emotional wellbeing while they
are on their prostate cancer journey. There are a whole host
of challenges that affect mental wellbeing and resilience of
men when they are diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or living
with the disease. With men living with prostate cancer as
much as four times more likely to die by suicide, making
sure a support service is available them to them is
critical,” says Gard.
“When someone suffers from a
serious disease, they can benefit greatly from counselling
as it enables them to express their feelings in a private,
safe setting with a qualified specialist,” adds
Gard.
“Two of the most common side effects of
prostate cancer treatment are urinary problems and erectile
dysfunction. Both can have a significant impact on a
patient’s emotional wellbeing. Side effects from treatment
such as low energy can also have an impact. Other side
effects from treatment or medications can cause symptoms of
aggressive behaviours, tiredness, stress, forgetfulness,
anxiety, lack of motivation, or anger – all of which can
be out of character and challenging to deal with. Add to
this the financial burden of reduced work hours or privately
funding treatment, and a stressed emotional state is not an
uncommon outcome.”
Dickens adds that prostate cancer
is not just a challenge to an individual, but to whānau and
others close to them. The diagnosis has an impact on their
partner, family and loved ones and sometimes the strain can
have an adverse effect on these relationships, which in turn
may impact recovery.
According to Gard the Prostate
Cancer Foundation Counselling Service can make all the
difference.
“Counselling after a prostate cancer
diagnosis has several advantages. In the beginning, it’s
about helping people accept the prostate cancer diagnosis
and what it means for them personally. Counselling can
increase their sense of empowerment and quality of life.
Additionally, counselling can lower any stress or anxiety
and enhance their overall wellbeing,” says Gard. “I’ve
spoken to men who feel they have lost their sense of
manhood, their relationships have suffered and they are
depressed. With counselling we have re-established their
sexuality and sense of self, their relationships have been
rejuvenated and their mental health and overall wellbeing
greatly improved.”
Prostate Cancer
Foundation Counselling Service provides free,
confidential counselling support delivered to individuals in
person, on the phone or online via video service in the way
that best suits them. All practitioners are registered
professionals with a minimum of five years of practice
experience. The range of support available covers, trauma,
grief and loss, relationship support, wellbeing support,
anxiety, and mood.
For support
contact Raise on 0800 735 343,
or complete the contact form at https://prostate.org.nz/counselling-service/
© Scoop Media
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