Finding Social Connection as a Young Person with ALL

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) impacts thousands of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in the United States each year. Diagnosis and treatment for ALL not only impacts your physical well-being, but can take a toll on your mental health as well.  

Read more about ways to improve your mental health while living with blood cancer improve your mental health while living with blood cancer.

People who are diagnosed with ALL at a young age often experience significant changes to their typical schedule and day-to-day life. Living with ALL may lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that can make participating in activities you once enjoyed difficult. In addition to this, treatment regimens and appointments can make working, going to school, and maintaining relationships hard.  

Find ways to stay connected

Feeling disconnected and isolated socially can make coping with a cancer diagnosis even more difficult. Research has also shown that social isolation can lead to worse health outcomes.  

A few ways to stay socially engaged include: 

Joining a support group: Support groups are a great way to spend time with people you can relate to. Your care team can make recommendations about in-person opportunities to meet others who have ALL.  

For AYA with ALL, participating in in-person activities while undergoing treatment can be hard. Technology has changed the way that young people interact with one another. Using digital platforms has made staying connected easier than ever before.

Join HealthTree Connect: HealthTree Connect is a social media platform built for patients and caregivers. You can share your experiences, find answers to your questions, and connect with others living with ALL. Click the link below to join HealthTree Connect today. 

HealthTree Connect

Pursue a hobby: Finding a new hobby or picking up a hobby that you have not done in a while can help nurture creativity and relaxation. Hobbies are also a great way to meet people with similar interests that you can spend intentional time with doing something you enjoy.  

Get involved in your community:  Volunteering your time can help provide some structure and connection in your day while also giving back to your community. You can reach out to local organizations like libraries, food banks, animal shelters, and community centers to find out if there are opportunities to get involved.  

Talk to a therapist: Everyone can experience feelings of isolation differently and it is important that you find options that work for you. Working with a therapist to talk about how you are feeling and what your goals are can help you to make a plan that meets your individual needs. You can also find resources for mental health support at your cancer center. 

If you are struggling with social isolation, you are not alone.  Many people experience feeling isolated at one point or another in life. Finding ways to relax, have fun, and spend time with others can make a big difference in how you cope.  

HealthTree foundation is committed to improving lives and finding cures for people living with blood cancer. By creating a HealthTree Account and completing simple surveys you can support this mission and improve researchers’ understanding of what people living with blood cancer experience.

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Sources:

• Challenges Faced by Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer  
• American Cancer Society Social Isolation and Loneliness 
• NIH Loneliness and Social Isolation — Tips for Staying Connected 
• Harvard Health Having a hobby tied to happiness and well-being