Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center Offers Free Program on Combating Emotional Side Effects of a Cancer Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis is often met with some degree of fear, anxiety or depression, but prolonged feelings of sadness or emotional distress can be warning signs of a more serious issue. According to the American Cancer Society, one in four people with cancer has clinical depression – which can significantly impair functioning and even deter cancer treatment.

Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center will host a free program entitled “Combating Anxiety, Fear and Depression Associated with a Cancer Diagnosis” on Wednesday, October 22 at 2 p.m. at 1691 U.S. Highway 9 in Toms River.

“A critical component of a healthy body is a healthy mind,” says Mary Jane Maser, Ph.D., APRN, BC, the clinical director of Stepping Stones Intensive Outpatient Program at Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center. “This program is designed to provide helpful information and the tools necessary to fight the anxiety, fear and depression that often accompany a cancer diagnosis so the individual can instead focus on recovery.”

The free program will provide information on the symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as successful treatment options. According to Dr. Maser, anxiety and depression can often be treated with therapy and medication management.

The Stepping Stones Intensive Outpatient Program at Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center aims to identify and treat unique and broad mental health issues. The program is tailored to address a wide range of disorders, including depression, anxiety, grief, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety and mood disorders. For those suffering from comorbid illness such as psychiatric illness and substance abuse disorders, the program provides addiction recovery groups and other treatment modalities.

Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center is a 100-bed acute care psychiatric facility offering an extensive array of high-quality, clinically focused programs, including inpatient and intensive outpatient programs for adults and older adults diagnosed with psychiatric and dual diagnosis disorders. The multidisciplinary staff at Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center includes experienced professionals in nearly every facet of behavioral health care.

Registration for the free program on October 22 is required by calling the Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center 24-hour Access Line at 1-800-300-0628.