Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is tough. It takes a toll on you physically and emotionally, but it can be easy to ignore your emotions or feelings because you're so focused on your physical health.
Please don't ignore your mental health. Women who have experienced breast cancer are at increased risk of depression so it's extremely important to get professional help if you think you might be suffering from depression.
Any combination of the following symptoms can be a sign you have depression:
- constantly feeling down or helpless
- having little interest or pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy
- being tired all the time
- feelings of emptiness or loneliness
- low self esteem
- problems with concentration
Many women find it helps to talk to others who have had breast cancer or to a counsellor or psychologist. BCAC has compiled a list of counsellors below. It is not intended to be exhaustive and you may find others who can help you. You could also contact your local branch of the Cancer Society NZ by phoning 0800 226 237 or find a professional near you by checking out www.psychology.org.nz or www.nzac.org.nz.
If you are seeking counselling or psychological support please do talk to your breast care nurse and/or your GP as they will have advice on the next steps.
The Breast Cancer Foundation NZ funds three free counselling sessions for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with breast cancer. Counsellors are available throughout New Zealand. Download a referral form from the Foundation's website www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz or phone 0800 BC Nurse (0800 226 8773).
BCAC member Jan Haworth runs Mindfulness Aotearoa, a programme of one-to-one and group courses to help people feel normal again after cancer. For more information, see www.mindfulnessaotearoa.com.
BCAC member group Breast Cancer Support Aotearoa offers free, one-to-one peer support from volunteers who have experienced breast cancer by phone, Zoom, Skype, Facebook Messenger or in person by arrangement. Contact them via their website by clicking here, or phone 0800 273 222.
You may also find it helpful to check out this website www.depression.org.nz
Nationwide (in Person or Online)
Cancer Fit: Click here for more information.
North Island
Northland - Louise Bell, Northland Nurse Coordinator, Te Waka Hau Ora, Cancer Society Auckland Northland Division
p. 64 9 437 5593 f. 64 9 437 5602 m. 64 27 275 3762. Daffodil House, 73 Kamo Rd, Kensington, PO Box 8100, Kensington, Whangarei, 0145. www.cancernz.org.nz
Northland – Cancer Society Northland, based in Whangarei. Northland liaison nurses: 0800 366 066 or 09 437 5593 or email northland@akcansoc.org.nz Take referrals from breast care nurses and GPs but also self-referral. Click here for more information.
Auckland - Cancer Society, Auckland branch. Phone 09 308 0168 or email information@akcansoc.org.nz Free service within certain criteria - Click here for more information.
Auckland - Geraldine Meechan - Breast Associates - 09 522 1346 - Fee - Doctor referral required - Click here for more information.
Auckland - Danute Leatham - Millennium Consulting, 88 Jervois Rd, Ponsonby - Fee - Click here for more information.
Auckland - Dove House, Eastern Bays Hospice, 207A Riddell Rd - 09 575 4555 – Free service - Visit their website.
Auckland - Dr Kelly Kerrisk - 021 032 8020 - drkellykerrisk@gmail.com - Fee - GP/Health professional referral or self-referral - Click here for more information.
Auckland - Barbara Draper: Te Manawa Mindfulness (Auckland and Northland) - phone 021 623 434 or email barb@temanawa.org Click here for more information.
Waikato/Bay of Plenty - Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty - 07 903 5809 - helenastewart@cancersociety.org.nz or admin@cancersociety.org.nz - Cancer Society funding within certain criteria - Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty
Tauranga - Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty - Liaison nurses: - 07 571 2035- tauranga@cancersociety.org.nz - Cancer Society funding within certain criteria.
Rotorua - Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty - Liaison nurses: Sarah Doyle, Andrea Mitchell - 07 349 4556 - rotorua@cancersociety.org.nz - Cancer Society funding within certain criteria.
Taranaki - Taranaki Psychological Services, Taranaki Base Hospital, David Street, Westown - Community Outpatients - 06 753 6139 extn 7699 - Provision of psychology services to patients who meet TDHB criteria - Click here for more information.
Palmerston North - Massey Cancer Psychological service - 06 350-5180 - Cancer.Psychology@massey.ac.nz - Free service funded by DHB Mid Central Health - Click here for more information.
Wairarapa – See below - Skylight Counselling – Based in Wellington but have counsellors in the Wairarapa.
Wellington - Skylight Counselling - 0800 299 100 or 04 939 6767- Fee - assistance for low income - Click here for more information.
South Island
Nelson - Cancer Society Nelson - 03 539 3662 - Click here for more information.
Marlborough - Cancer Society Marlborough - 03 579 4379 - Click here for more information.
West Coast - Cancer Society West Coast (Greymouth) - 03 768 9557 - Referrals from BCNs but also individual enquiries. Click here for more information.
Christchurch - Cancer Society Canterbury - 0800 CANCER (226 237) - Contact the cancer information nurses to discuss - Cancer Society funding available within certain criteria. Click here for more information.
Christchurch - Canterbury DHB - Oncology Department - Patients having chemo are able to access counselling services at the Cancer Society through the Oncology Dept. - Click here for more information.
Christchurch - The St Georges Cancer Care Centre, 131 Leinster Rd, Strowan, Christchurch - 03 355 1700 - Fee - Doctor referral required - Click here for more information.
Otago/Southland - Cancer Society Otago & Southland - 03 477 7447 - Supportive care team - Take referrals from BCNs but also individual enquiries. Click here for more information.
