Sometimes it helps to talk with someone who truly understands your situation. It is common for patients and their loved ones to experience difficulty at the time of a cancer diagnosis or during ongoing treatment. Patients and their family members may have concerns that they would like to talk over with someone who can listen.

Oncology Social Workers are licensed mental health professionals who provide support for the many issues that may affect patients and their families during cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. They work with cancer patients and their families to:

• Cope with illness and its stressors
• Identify and solve problems with relationships
• Enhance communication with the medical treatment team to enable patients and families to be active partners in their own healthcare
• Access hospital and community resources
• Facilitate a variety of support groups which can provide patients and families with a unique opportunity to gain support, share information and learn how others cope with cancer.
• Deal with crisis

For current information on Workshops & Support Groups visit the HOPES Calendar.

All of these support groups are free of charge to participants and are offered on either a drop-in or registration basis. You can also contact the Cancer Resource Room at 617- 724-1822 with general support group questions.

• For a complete listing of all of the support groups conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital department of social work, please visit the MGH Social Service Department.
• To contact the Oncology Social Worker, please call: 617-724-1822.
• For information on the Pediatric Programs available to children, parents, and family members, please see Parent & Family Support.