Getting the support you need

The cancer journey can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Canteen Connect offers cancer counselling services that are accessible, and can open the door to a range of Canteen support services.

Be part of the conversation

Log into Canteen Connect, and you will immediately feel part of a community. Everyone here is a young person between the ages of 12 and 25, with a range of cancer experiences – those currently going though treatment, or patient-survivors; living with family or kin going through cancer now (or previously); and those grieving the loss of a loved one. It’s a community built on sharing stories and experiences, and being supported by people who get it – from anywhere in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand.

Canteen’s experienced counsellors are part of the conversation in Discussions too. They moderate the site, offer professional guidance, answer your questions - and of course link you with resources which are relevant to what you’re going through.

Chat to a Counsellor (web chat)

The Chat to a Counsellor button is just a click away. Find it in the menu on the Canteen Connect desktop site, or in app.

You can talk to online counsellors about any of the challenges you are facing in your cancer journey. A chat session usually lasts 30-45 minutes; at the beginning of the chat we’ll ask your name, what you’d like to chat about today, as well as explaining session confidentiality. At the end of the chat, we’ll check-in with you about options for ongoing support too.

We’re open limited hours, 6 days per week (all Sydney time):

- 10am-8pm Mon-Thu

- 10am-6pm Fri

- 11am-5pm Sat (closed Sunday)

After hours, you can find 24/7 support options here

Ongoing support options (phone, Zoom, web chat)

Interested in ongoing specialist counselling and support around your cancer journey? Our team also provide free, booked counselling appointments via phone, Zoom and web chat, to young people with an immediate-family cancer experience, aged 12-25,

living in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We can also link you to a range of Canteen services beyond counselling – like events, groups, and even leadership opportunities. To find out more, check out Cancer Hub where you can even book an intake call to get the process started.

Or you can make a referral for you or a family member through our referral pages in Australia or Aotearoa