CanTeen’s counselling service for young people affected by cancer will continue as one of the charity’s key services due to the partnership with nib foundation.

The partnership, which began in 2010, is said to have helped pilot, establish and then expand the service nationally. CanTeen now provides 3,000 counselling sessions a year to young people affected by cancer.

This is the sixth year of the partnership and new data shows the partnership as the reason behind the programs success.

“Young people trying to deal with their own or a close family member’s cancer are three to six times more likely to experience high levels of psychological distress than their peers,” said CanTeen CEO Peter Orchard.

“Without support, this distress can lead to anxiety or depression, thoughts about suicide and self-harm and unhealthy coping behaviours such as drug or alcohol abuse.

“It became clear to us that CanTeen needed to provide counselling to help young people cope when cancer turns their world upside down and the partnership with nib foundation enabled us to pilot, establish and then expand this vital service.”

Orchard said CanTeen’s specially trained counsellors give young people a safe space to talk about thoughts and feelings they might not want to share with others.

“They also help young people develop healthy strategies to cope with the impact cancer is having on their life and just listen,” Orchard told Third Sector. 

Orchard said that there was a very common interest in the outcome of the program which is what makes it such a successful partnership.

nib foundation Executive Officer Amy Tribe, highlighted the success of CanTeen’s counselling service in nurturing the wellbeing of young people in need of support.

“Our foundation’s philosophy is focused on supporting community health programs that provide targeted and age appropriate services to help at risk individuals develop the resilience they need to make it through tough times,” Tribe said.

“The findings of the program evaluation suggest that the CanTeen Counselling Service is doing this very well. Clients reported a decrease in negative emotions, depression and anxiety, and an increase in effective coping strategies, improved self-worth, healthier life choices.

“We are very proud to have helped establish and grow such a vital program that is now accessible to young people right across Australia.”