Join us for an evening of talking about all things mental health with both experts from different fields and young adults who have experienced it themselves. Drop your questions in the chat space and we will try and answer as many as possible. No individual medical advice will be given though. 

Understandably COVID-19 has caused heightened anxiety in the general population across the world, but for many of you living in a state of anxiety was already your reality due to having to live with a cancer diagnosis so now what? 

For many young adults, mental health struggles are already part of the picture, long before cancer comes knocking at your door. Our survey shows that psychological support is the top need of our community - that’s why we wanted to lift the lid on the mental health experiences of young adults living with cancer. We believe one size doesn’t fit all and we want to talk about the different ways you can support your mental health along the way. 

We will discuss how psychological needs are measured, but also how you could be better prepared, and more empowered to access the support that is out there.  We will also touch on social media and the impact that can have on your mental health. 

Hosted by Alice May Purkiss: Is a freelance writer, journalist and marketing nerd based in London. After blogging through her treatment for breast cancer on her award-winning platform, she went on to write Life, Lemons and Melons, a book exploring the relationship between cancer and mental health. She has written extensively about her experience of being diagnosed before she turned 30, with words appearing in Red, Buzzfeed, Stylist, Refinery29 and many more. Alice is passionate about keeping the conversations around cancer going long after treatment finishes, having learned the hard way that cancer doesn’t end when treatment does. 

Steph Davies: The founder of Life After Cancer, is an ICF accredited coach based in East London, she also facilitates our Walthamstow support group. After completing chemotherapy for Hodgkins lymphoma, Steph realised that the world was a very different colour post cancer. Cancer shaped her life so she created this space to support others in shaping theirs.

Leanne Pero: Found of The Leanne Pero Foundation and Black Women Rising is an entrepreneur, fighter, survivor, and inspiration. Born and raised in South West London, she prides herself on being an active member of the community, having set up a dance company, charity, and most recently - penning her first self-help book for women battling cancer.

Alex King, Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Psycho-oncology: Leads a specialist clinical team at Imperial College Healthcare, with a vision to develop psychologically-minded cancer care systems, through training & consultation, patient engagement, collaboration & research. Highlights include the 2017 BMJ Awards for Surgery and Patient Partnership with the PREPARE prehabilitation team, the 2018 Anthony Nolan Clinical Supporter Award & our work on the post-transplant care pathway, the 2020 pan-London, commissioning and guidance on cancer psychosocial support, and translating our research project on ‘living with & beyond cancer’ into the ‘ARC’ pilot clinic for personalised rehabilitation & supportive care. To find out more click here.