When a cancer diagnosis is made, feelings of anxiety, stress and confusion are virtually impossible to avoid. The path ahead may seem confusing and scary, but there are steps you can take to deal with your emotions.
- Don’t hold it in. Tell a family member or good friend that you’re feeling anxious. Sometimes just talking about it makes it feel less overwhelming.
- Join a support group. It helps to connect with people who are going through the same things you are.
- In addition to getting treatment, take good care of yourself. Do things that you enjoy and find ways to relax.
- If depression hinders your daily activities and nothing seems to help, consider speaking with a professional.
- If you haven’t been diagnosed with cancer, ask your doctor which cancer screening tests are recommended for someone your age.
Throughout the entire month of February, there are a number of nationally recognized themes that you can help promote, including:
- American Heart Month
- National School Counseling Week (Feb. 6-10)
- Children’s Mental Health Week (Feb. 7-13)
- National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 27 - Mar. 5)
- Safer Internet Day (Feb. 7)
- National Random Act of Kindness Day (Feb. 17)
This month, Stamp Out Stigma is highlighting the power of kindness. You never know if someone is experiencing a mental health condition, and many physical disabilities are invisible. Practicing kindness encourages patience and empathy. It’s our job to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness by sharing resources and starting conversations. Throughout the month of February, we encourage family, friends, and loved ones to learn more about eating disorders and mental health. Here are some important facts you should know:
- Research shows that engaged workers are present at work more often, are more productive, have fewer accidents and make fewer errors. In addition, employees stay with the company longer and feel better about their jobs.
- Kindness is teachable! A study found that people can actually build up their compassion ‘muscle’ and respond to others’ suffering with care and a desire to help.
- 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
- 10,200 deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorder—that’s one death every 52 minutes.
Learn more about Cancer Prevention Month on the Mind Your Mental Health webpage.