37 Outcomes of a National Specialist Counselling Service for People Affected by Brain Tumours

Abstract Introduction A brain tumour diagnosis profoundly affects physical, emotional and mental health. Surveys by The Brain Tumour Charity highlighted that 41% of people affected reported unmet emotional needs after diagnosis, and 91% shared that their mental health was impacted, yet less than half had access to counselling. In response, the Charity launched a free professional counselling service in 2022 to help patients and loved ones navigate the psychological challenges that accompany a brain tumour diagnosis. Methods The was piloted from July 2022 to January 2023 and subsequently expanded annually. Participants could self-refer for up to eight free counselling sessions delivered remotely. The programme collected user feedback on overall experience, perceived impact on emotional well-being and coping ability, and changes in standardised mental well-being scores measured by the CORE-10 clinical tool. Growth and satisfaction metrics were monitored across three consecutive years to evaluate both reach and effectiveness. Results Since launching, more than 2,077 people have accessed the counselling service, receiving nearly 14,074 sessions in total. During the pilot phase, all users rated their experience positively, with 75% reporting a meaningful improvement in coping and a 32% average improvement in CORE-10 scores. In year two, similar satisfaction levels persisted, with an average 34% improvement in CORE-10 scores. Year three saw 748 people access counselling, 99% rating their experience as good or very good, and an average 33% improvement in CORE-10 scores. Conclusions Over three years, the free counselling service has expanded its reach while maintaining high levels of client satisfaction and measurable improvements in emotional well-being. These outcomes suggest that the service effectively addresses previously unmet emotional needs in the brain tumour community and highlights the value of accessible, specialised psychological support.