Help Available During Recovery
Surgery and cancer treatment are among the most demanding experiences a person can face, physically and mentally. You do not have to face it alone. This page lists support resources for patients and families worldwide: crisis lines, mental health support, cancer helplines, financial assistance, and carer support.
Up to 40% of people experience significant depression or anxiety after major surgery or a cancer diagnosis. This is not weakness. It is a physiological response to one of the most stressful experiences a human body can go through; pain, loss of control, fear about outcomes, disrupted sleep, and the weight of uncertainty.
Post-surgical depression is real, common, and very treatable, but only if someone knows about it. The most important thing you can do is tell your GP. They cannot help with something they don't know about.
Cardiac patients in particular: depression after a heart attack or cardiac surgery is extremely common and significantly increases the risk of another cardiac event if untreated. Cardiac rehabilitation addresses this directly. If you are struggling: tell your cardiologist or GP today, not next week.
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.