Social workers can help you and your family with the emotional and practical aspects of coping with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They can help with:

• emotional matters: dealing with fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, and a sense of loss
• financial matters: income support, drug costs, and disability pensions
• practical matters: transportation, home support and referrals to community resources

You or a family member can make an appointment with a social worker at any time before, during or after treatment. Contact social work directly or ask a member of your healthcare team to arrange for you to see a social worker.

The Psychosocial Oncology Clinic is a team of social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. They are there to help you and your family:

• cope with the diagnosis of cancer
• reduce stress
• improve your emotional well-being

This clinic can also support you after your treatment. There is no fee for this service.

The Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship (CRS) Program offers many programs and services to help you and your family. When you are referred to the CRS Program, you will meet different health care professionals. They will help you:

• prepare a plan to manage your cancer experience
• help you reduce and manage any late or long-term effects of cancer and its treatment
• help you find services and programs that best meet your needs

There is no fee for this service.

The Patient and Family Library provides patients and families with different cancer-related information. You can find pamphlets, books, e-books, videos and CDs. The library can also provide you with hospital and community resources. There is no fee for this service.

The library service also includes:

• computers with internet access
• personal health information searches and packages done by a professional librarian

If you are looking for information, call the library at 416-946-4501 extension 5383, or fill out an online search form and bring it to the library.

1. Visit Patient & Family Library
2. Under “Ask Our Librarian” click “Read more”
3. Click on “search form (PDF)” to print out and complete

You can get the information by email or pick it up at the Patient and Family Library.

This is a class for patients and families who are getting radiation therapy. In this class you will learn what to expect during radiation treatment. There is no fee for this service.

ELLICSR is a place for anyone affected by cancer. This includes patients, family members, caregivers or friends. At ELLICSR, you can:

• join classes and programs that can provide you with education, emotional support and healthy lifestyle options
• find information on health and wellness
• meet other survivors
• sit and relax before or after your appointment

There is no fee for this service.

Spiritual care can help you manage your health and cope. It can help you find meaning, value and connection, especially during difficult times. You do not have to be religious to benefit from spiritual care.

There is support for all types of spiritual expression: religious practice, personal relationships, artistic creation, a connection to nature and more. Services include:

• encouragement and comfort
• support for loss and grief
• opportunities for prayers, meditation and reflection
• help with religious and spiritual practice when requested

There is no fee for this service.

Many people have anxiety and stress when they are undergoing cancer treatment. Sometimes, this stress can interfere with your daily activities. If you are having trouble with stress you may benefit from relaxation therapy.

To register, ask your doctor for a referral to Occupational Therapy.

This program helps cancer patients and family members cope with the stress of cancer and its treatments. It includes techniques such as relaxation, thought control, mental imaging, emotional expression and goal setting.

There is no fee for this service.

This 8-week program helps patients reduce stress and anxiety caused by their cancer. This includes stress from diagnosis and treatment. It uses meditation and a method called “mindfulness”. Mindfulness is a type of mental training that helps you manage stress in a healthy way.

Please call for more information or to sign up. There is no fee for this service.

This is a telephone support program that connects patients and caregivers with fully screened and trained volunteers who have had cancer, or who have cared for someone with cancer. Peer volunteers:

• listen
• provide hope
• offer support
  
• share ideas for coping

There is no fee for this service.

The Family Service Toronto offers advice, support and programs for individuals, couples and families seeking support with:

• family problems (like separation or divorce) and relationship issues
• parenting concerns
• depression, anxiety, sexual abuse and childhood trauma
• job loss
• life transitions or changes

Services are offered in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough and North York. Counselling is available in different languages. Call to make an appointment. There is a fee for this service (reduced for those with lower income).

Gilda’s Club offers support groups, education classes, art programs, and children and teen programs. It is also a place where all cancer patients (adults, teens and children), families and friends can connect socially and emotionally. The building is wheelchair accessible. Contact for more information. There is no fee for this service.

The Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Program helps educate and support children and families who have a loved one who is dying or has died. They help adults speak to children about dying and death. Contact for more information.

There is no fee for this service.

This centre has information on different support groups in Ontario for people living with cancer and their families. You can also find links to other Self Help Centres across Ontario that offers similar services. The Self Help Resource Centre can help you in starting your own self-help group. Please call for more information.

There is no fee for this service.

The Chinese Family Services of Ontario provides counselling and therapy for a variety of life concerns for individuals, couples and families. There are offices in Toronto and Richmond Hill. Counselling and therapy are by appointments only. This service is available in English and Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese and Shanghainese).

There is no fee for this service.

COSTI’s Family and Mental Health Services offers private counselling services to Italian-Canadian individuals, couples and families in Toronto and York region. Professional counsellors speak Italian and English, and know the Italian culture.

They can provide help and support with issues including:

• anxiety
• depression
• stress management
• relationships
• family problems

There is a fee for this service (reduced for those with lower income).

IFT offers in-person or over-the-phone support to people with cancer and their families. IFT hosts a Muslim Cancer Support Group, and one-on-one consults with a Muslim cancer specialist. Groups are held on the last Friday of every month from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm at the centre. There is no fee for this service.

The Muslim Cancer Support Group is a community-based group of volunteers and cancer survivors. They provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to all who are touched by cancer. You can meet cancer survivors and get support at monthly support meetings at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto.

Call for the location or more information. There is no fee for this service.

This national, bilingual (English and French) organization offers cancer patients, their families, the general public and healthcare workers a wide range of cancer-related information and support. Resources are available in many languages through an interpreter. CCS does not provide any medical advice.

There is no fee for this service.

The CaringBridge website gives people experiencing a significant health challenge a way to connect with family and friends. It offers websites for personal and private space to communicate and show support. There is no fee for this service.

Search website to find up-to-date inpatient hospice palliative care units listed by region.

Cancer.Net is the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s patient information website. You can find timely, credible cancer information approved by healthcare providers.

This includes information on:

• different types of cancer
• treatments
• how to manage side effects
• how to cope

OncoLink is an information website by the Abramson Cancer Center for patients, families, healthcare professionals and the general public. It offers information on different types of cancer, news on cancer treatments and research advances.

NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. This website provides up-to-date and credible information on different types of cancer and its treatment.

The app is a guide to information and services that may help patients during their cancer treatment. Many people are overwhelmed when they learn they have cancer. The stress of not knowing what happens next, what questions to ask, or where to find help can lead to feeling out of control. The Princess Margaret Cancer Journey app is designed to give patients and families a place to start. Find:

• articles on what to expect at each phase of your cancer journey
• questions to ask your health care team
• details on services at the Princess Margaret and in the community
• links to accurate health information