If mental health care can lower the risk of dying from cancer by 25 percent, why aren’t ALL cancer patients offered access to treatment? At New Day, they are.
According to a 2024 NBC News story, “Undiagnosed depression in cancer patients is one of the biggest gaps in treatment,”, depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions often go undetected and undiagnosed in cancer patients – and the neglect takes a significant toll on survival.
We recognize the critical role that emotional support can play in cancer treatment outcomes. In 2021, New Day resolved to offer emotional support services to cancer patients alongside its existing financial support to families – effectively filling the gap in treatment. We now provide free or discounted counseling from over 40 licensed therapists who are also experienced in treating cancer patients.
“One of the most destructive factors of a cancer diagnosis is financial stress,” said Judith Persley, a licensed psychotherapist who donates her time to counsel New Day families. “Upwards of 80 percent of working adult patients experience job related stress, especially if a person’s employer isn’t particularly flexible. This puts into question how a patient can manage work alongside all of their doctor, specialist, diagnostic, and treatment appointments, which all adds up quickly. A sad amount of people cannot keep their jobs.”
Treating the whole person, not just the disease, will always be a key component of our mission. By providing emotional support, we can begin to create a space for healing.
If mental health care can lower the risk of dying from cancer by 25 percent, why aren’t ALL cancer patients offered access to treatment? At New Day, they are.
According to a 2024 NBC News story, “Undiagnosed depression in cancer patients is one of the biggest gaps in treatment,”, depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions often go undetected and undiagnosed in cancer patients – and the neglect takes a significant toll on survival.
We recognize the critical role that emotional support can play in cancer treatment outcomes. In 2021, New Day resolved to offer emotional support services to cancer patients alongside its existing financial support to families – effectively filling the gap in treatment. We now provide free or discounted counseling from over 40 licensed therapists who are also experienced in treating cancer patients.
“One of the most destructive factors of a cancer diagnosis is financial stress,” said Judith Persley, a licensed psychotherapist who donates her time to counsel New Day families. “Upwards of 80 percent of working adult patients experience job related stress, especially if a person’s employer isn’t particularly flexible. This puts into question how a patient can manage work alongside all of their doctor, specialist, diagnostic, and treatment appointments, which all adds up quickly. A sad amount of people cannot keep their jobs.”
Treating the whole person, not just the disease, will always be a key component of our mission. By providing emotional support, we can begin to create a space for healing.