16 | How Childhood Cancer Affects the Mental Health of Children and Their Families w/ Tina Hamalainen

This month's topic looks at how childhood cancer affects the mental health of children and their families. Janet is joined by Tina Hamalainen. Tina is a POGO Interlink nurse with the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)Tina’s role as an Interlink nurse is a unique provincial role within Ontario. POGO as an organisation advocates for the needs of pediatric oncology patients and their families. The program that Tina works for is Interlink. There are 10 nurses in the program and they all work in the hospitals with the children. The nurses provide support at the hospital, home, school and in the community - a bridge between home and hospital.Janet and Tina discuss the stresses and difficulties children and their families face, the emotions they go through, maintaining relationships especially at school and helping the children plan for their future.One of the goals of POGO is to have integrated psycho-social care at all stages of a cancer journey. Part of this is creating a more standardised assessment of their needs so they can monitor from day one and have regular assessments of the patient's family and beyond treatment.To find out more about POGO and the Interlink program please visit their website https://www.pogo.ca/programs-support/patient-care-programs/interlink-community-cancer-nurses/You may find our blog helpful: https://www.catchpsychotherapy.org/allposts/2021/1/5/childhood-cancer-takes-a-huge-toll-on-children-and-their-familiesOr visit our website for more information https://www.catchpsychotherapy.org/