Supporting whānau through child cancer: Parents’ perspectives of a specialised national community-based counselling network

OBJECTIVE: a national network of mental health professionals, available at any point during the cancer journey. This study aimed to evaluate the program from the perspective of parent users. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mothers who accessed the counselling service. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. RESULTS: pointed to potential improvements, including a stronger palliative focus and culturally appropriate support for Māori. CONCLUSION: Families reported a range of benefits from accessing the CCCN. The service offers flexible, external, specialised counselling that fills gaps in support, and shows potential as a translatable model for other child conditions.