Cancer Council Queensland has launched its new Living Mindfully telephone group program to benefit cancer patients and their families who are not able to travel to access support services.
The Living Mindfully eight-week telephone group program will be launched on Thursday, July 31 and allow those who are too unwell, or who live regionally, to access vital support from Cancer Council Queensland.
The revolutionary program, which is based on a combination of mindfulness meditation and cognitive therapy, is run by CCQ’s Cancer Counselling Service in telephone group sessions, and aims to increase a person’s ability to manage difficult feelings, and help people live more fully in the present moment.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift encouraged all Queenslanders affected by cancer to register for the program.
“For people touched by cancer, emotional distress after cancer can be as overwhelming as the diagnosis and treatment,” Ms Clift said.
“More than 30 per cent of cancer patients experience ongoing psychological challenges, such as anxiety and depression, as a result of their illness.
“Clinical research trials of mindfulness-based group therapy have shown participants can experience positive changes in psychological wellbeing and quality of life as a result of group participation.
“The Living Mindfully telephone group sessions are particularly suited to those who are unable to access CCQ’s face-to-face groups due to distance or difficulty travelling to our Brisbane or regional offices,” Ms Clift said.
“Learning new ways of managing difficulties through our Living Mindfully telephone group sessions can be useful for many Queenslanders, regardless of life stage or the situation they find themselves in.”
CCQ is calling on all Queenslanders who think they, or someone they know, may benefit from participation in this eight-week Living Mindfully telephone group program, to register via Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.
Living Mindfully is one of a range of programs delivered by Cancer Council Queensland’s Cancer Counselling Service.
Since the Cancer Counselling Service opened in April 2004, more than 7600 Queenslanders impacted by cancer have sought support through face-to-face or telephone counselling.
Run by qualified psychologists, the service helps people dealing with a range of issues from stress and difficulty coping to depression, anxiety, grief, loss, treatment, side effects and relationship problems – ensuring no one has to face this disease alone.
Cancer Council Queensland is an independent, community-based charity, the achievements of which are made possible by the generosity of Queenslanders.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland, including information about our counselling and support programs, is available via www.cancerqld.org.au or the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.