Information for the public

Emotional support

Living with a life-limiting condition will be distressing for your whole family. It can have an impact on many areas of your lives, including family relationships. Your care team should support you and ask regularly if you would like to talk about how you are coping. They should make sure you know about the emotional and psychological support and treatments that are available.

Things may seem especially upsetting when something new is happening in your child's life or their condition is changing, and at these times your care team should talk with you about what extra emotional support you might need.

When your child feels distressed or their condition gets worse, your care team may be able to arrange an urgent appointment with a therapist or counsellor. If things feel overwhelming and you or your child can't cope, you should be referred for emergency psychological care.

Questions you or your child could ask

  • What kinds of emotional and psychological support are available?

  • If my child has a learning disability or communication difficulties, what specialist support can you provide?