In addition to counselling that focuses on the challenges of cancer, we can now also provide bulk-billed psychological care under Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTP) as part of the Canteen Clinic.
Our team of psychologists and mental health accredited social workers can help young people and parents impacted by cancer manage other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or PTSD.
We decided to expand our counselling services to help address the long waiting lists for community-based psychologists, which are seeing young people and parents waiting for up to six months for support in some areas.
The Canteen Clinic can also provide outpatient support and relieve pressure on hospital-based psycho-oncology teams.
How are sessions run?
Sessions are run via telehealth and are available nationwide.
Who can access the Canteen Clinic?
Young people and parents impacted by cancer who are eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), including:
- Young people aged 12-25 who are impacted by a close family member’s cancer, their own diagnosis or the death of a loved one (in line with other Canteen services)
- Other young people on a case by case basis – for example 26 and 27 year-olds impacted by cancer or young people dealing with a partner’s cancer
- Parents or carers impacted by cancer with children aged 0-25
How do I refer someone to the Canteen Clinic?
Referrals can be made online and a skilled intake clinician from our Cancer Hub team will be in touch within 48 hours to discuss support options. Cancer Hub is a collaboration between Canteen, Camp Quality and Redkite to help families impacted by cancer more easily access the different practical and emotional support services they need.
If the person you are referring already has an active MHTP, please email this directly to [email protected] at the time of making a referral and we will keep this on file to speed up the process.