The Other Side of the Diagnosis: Redefining Mental Health Care for Children with Cancer

In "The Other Side of the Diagnosis," Emma Sheridan examines the often-overlooked psychological toll of pediatric cancer on children and their families. Sheridan argues that traditional healthcare models prioritize physical treatment, neglecting the profound emotional, cognitive, and financial challenges that extend well beyond the hospital. The article highlights systemic barriers to comprehensive care, including a critical shortage of pediatric mental health providers, geographical and economic disparities, and cultural stigmas surrounding mental illness. By exploring the psychological landscape for patients, siblings, and caregivers, Sheridan advocates for creative, non-clinical interventions like art and music therapy to fill these gaps, emphasizing that true survivorship means addressing the whole family's well-being.