Supporting your Journey
Cancer patients are twice as likely to experience mental and emotional distress compared to the average American. This strain doesn’t just begin at diagnosis—it can continue through treatment and into the survivorship stage. The stress and anxiety that come with such a diagnosis can interfere with the body’s ability to fight the disease and recover from surgeries or treatments. At Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, 80% of clients report facing stress, depression, and anxiety after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, these challenges don’t stop with the patients themselves—family members are often mentally and emotionally impacted as well.
To make matters worse, the COVID pandemic has strained the medical system, making it increasingly difficult to find mental health providers who are accepting new clients. This is especially true for those with limited financial resources.
In response, Michelle’s Place took an innovative approach to address this gap in care. In 2022, they partnered with Pepperdine University to bring in practicum students who can offer behavioral health services under the supervision of licensed clinicians. This partnership paved the way for other universities, including Loma Linda and Tulane University, to join forces with Michelle’s Place. Through the support of Triple Moon Psychotherapy Collective’s licensed clinical supervisors, these practicum students and interns provide one-on-one therapy sessions to clients and their families—completely free of charge.
This program not only gives cancer patients and their families access to vital mental health resources, but it also benefits the community by introducing new, soon-to-be providers into the behavioral health services network. Michelle’s Place is committed to expanding this program, ensuring that every client gets the mental health support they need during their cancer journey.
No One Should Face Cancer Alone
Shanda Brennan, MSW, CSW, LCSW, co-founder and CEO of Triple Moon Psychotherapy Collective and Director of Behavioral Health explains in more detail the importance of this program. “The psychosocial and psychiatric impact that a cancer burden brings to an individual and their support partners is often immense and can result in a substantial impact on mental health and wellbeing. This also means the long-term impacts of a cancer diagnosis on mental health are being more often realized with upwards of 35% of patients reporting symptoms of depression and/or anxiety post-diagnosis. Mental health during and post-treatment is less prioritized than treating the disease itself due to many influences, including access to care. Here at Michelle’s Place, we are pleased to be breaking down these barriers and offering no-cost mental health services to our clients, their families, and their support network, provided by licensed therapists and supervised graduate-level interns. Through the expansion of our mental health services, we have built upon our mission that “No one should face cancer alone.”
This program is being made possible through grant funding from the Fallbrook Regional Health District, Kaiser Permanente Foundation, Supervisor Chuck Washington and the Inland Empire Community Foundation, Seraphim Fund.
For more information on Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center visit www.michellesplace.org or call 951-699-5455.
English
Spanish