1. Psychosocial Resources

Circlework: A manual for relaxation and support group facilitators.  By Dr. Joanne Stephen and Liz Smith. This manual provides guidance to facilitators interested in setting up a relaxation support group in their community. Topics include Creating a Safe Environment, Relaxation Techniques, Scripts for Guided Imagery and Supplementary Techniques.
Manuals $15.00


To order contact Vickie Mattimoe   Administrative Coordinator 
Cancer Rehabilitation, Sociobehavioural Research  vmattimo@bccancer.bc.ca 
 T: (604) 877 - 6000 ex. 2193         

        


2. Cross Cultural Resources
The following resources on communication, complementary and alternative medicines, and palliative/ end-of-life care were collected from participants at the 2004 Building Collaborative Communties Workshop.



Aboriginal Spirituality and Healing for Cancer. Old Hands, a member of the Cwenegitel Aboriginal Society, talks to staff at BCCA cancer centres about the role of spirituality in coping with cancer. His presentation incorporates storytelling and drumming to talk about acceptance in palliative care and the passing process.

A video and a DVD of this presentation is now
available at the BCCA libraries in Vancouver,
Surrey, Victoria, and Kelowna.

3. Patient and Family Resources
BC Cancer Agency Patient and Family Counseling Staff have written and produced a variety of relaxation resources for cancer patients and their families. Go to our Coping with Cancer -> Emotional Support -> Resources page for more information.

Time for Me: An activity book for kids when someone in the family has cancer.  By June Slakov, Sandra Rothok and Karen Jane. This book is designed for school-aged children ages 6-12 to help them learn creative ways of coping when a family member has cancer. The activity book is also intended to open up ways for children and families to talk about cancer and learn together.

Activity Book $12.00
To order contact Diana Hass  T: (604) 877-6000, ext. 2194

Are you seeing patients and family members who are visibly distressed, or "keeping the lid on too tight?" A professionally facilitated online support group may be what's needed.  Dr. Joanne Stephen and her team (Patient and Family Counselling, Vancouver, Abbotsford & Fraser Valley Centres) are involved in clinically-informed research on online support groups. Patients and family members have an innovative, convenient way to share their experiences, get support and learn new information and resources. These safe, real-time chats are expertly facilitated by a BCCA counsellor.

Feedback from previous pilot groups has been overwhelmingly positive. Patients and caregivers reported that the groups were extremely supportive, and an excellent venue for information exchange with others in similar situations. One patient stated: "This group helps because it does feel like we are not alone, there are other women stumbling right alongside....no matter how supportive [my family and friends] are they can't really understand what I'm going through in the way you all can. And that comforts me."