Wellbeing Self-Evaluation Tool

Understanding your feelings and when to seek support

It is common to experience periods of psychological distress following a diagnosis of cancer. It can be difficult to know if your feelings are a typical reaction or something more serious.

Use the traffic light system below to identify which light represents how you are feeling now and whether you need to seek support.

Seek Support – If any of these difficulties are present, please seek urgent support from your GP or other relevant health professional.

Consider Support – You are likely to benefit from support to improve your wellbeing. Consider discussing your support with any health professional involved in your care.

Continue – ‘If you feel able to manage difficult feelings that arise, continue to use strategies that help. You may want to consider support should this change.

Seek Support

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck and unable to function most of the time most days
Noticing significant changes in mood or level of worry
Concerns about your ability to manage your feelings
Feeling alone and unable to share your feelings with family or friends
Feelings of hopelessness, despair or numbness
Significant changes in sleeping, eating or other aspects of daily functioning
Thoughts about harming yourself or others
Suicidal thoughts about ending your life

Consider Support

Difficulty motivating yourself and managing day to day life
Limited engagement with meaningful activity and relationships
Fluctuating feelings such as worry, fear, low mood, frustration
or anger that feel unmanageable
Feeling stuck and overwhelmed by your feelings some of the time
Thoughts about wanting to find new ways to manage your feelings

Continue

Engagement with meaningful activity and relationships
Setting yourself manageable and achievable daily goals
Fluctuating feelings such as worry, fear, low mood, frustration or anger that feel manageable
Using helpful strategies to manage and improve your wellbeing

Download your copy of the Wellbeing Self-Evaluation Tool

Also in this section

Further Information

Related Information

Further support and help:

The advice on these pages is designed to help you prepare for the treatment ahead and support you through to recovery.

If you need further advice and support please discuss this with your key worker or healthcare professional.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Cancer support line:
02920 745655 (9:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:00pm)
Macmillan Cancer Support:
0808 808 00 00
Maggie’s Cardiff:
029 2240 8024
Tenovus Cancer Care:
0808 808 1010