Perceived Needs for Mental Health Care Among Emerging Adults With Cancer

Abstract

The challenges of living with cancer can compound the normative stresses of navigating emerging adulthood and have long-term psychiatric consequences. However, there is a lack of information on the mental health services required by this potentially vulnerable group of young people. This study estimated the prevalence of mental disorder among emerging adults (EAs) with cancer and examined their perceived needs for mental health care. Data from 5,590 individuals (15–29 years) who participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey—Mental Health were used in the analyses. The prevalence of mood or substance use disorder among those with cancer ( n = 42) was 42.9% compared to 32.2% among controls. EAs with cancer had higher odds of reporting unmet perceived needs for mental health care, OR = 7.72, 95% CI [1.85, 28.57]. This suggests an opportunity to improve future health services aimed at addressing the mental health care needs for EAs with cancer and potentially, other long-term chronic conditions.