Home > For Cancer Center Patients > Managing Emotions

Finding Strength in Others

Cancer may cause you to feel isolated and disconnected from even your closest loved ones. Many people with cancer - as well as their caregivers - find it helpful to talk with other people who have similar experiences. We can help you connect with other people with cancer as well as volunteer cancer survivors who can offer special insights to those who are beginning the cancer journey.

Spiritual Counseling

Pastoral and spiritual ministries for all denominations are available through U-M Hospital's Patient and Family Services. Two chapels are open 24 hours a day. Learn more from their web page.

Peer Counseling

Peer counselors are cancer survivors and family members who have experienced cancer and its treatment firsthand. They believe a cancer survivor has a unique understanding of the cancer experience, and have volunteered to provide their special insights to those just beginning the cancer journey. Peer counselors provide insight and feedback on countless topics, including:

• Insight on making treatment decisions and the impact these choices made on the peer counselor's life
• Suggestions to make cancer treatment easier
• Resources for support and coping
• Ideas for dealing with treatment side effects such as hair loss and body image

Your social worker or medical team can arrange contact with a peer counselor. To learn more about Peer Counseling or to request a peer counselor, call the Guest Assistance Program at 800-888-9825.

Return to:

• At Diagnosis
• During Cancer Treatment
• Advanced Cancer

See Also:

• Forms Index
• Survivorship
• Patient Toolkit
• Services Index

Additional Resources:

Download the flyer containing information about all the support groups at the U-M Cancer Center (this is a .pdf document)