Resilience for Adolescents and Young People Study (RAYS). An interventional study for offspring of women with breast cancer

Participants comprise mothers with breast cancer and their child(ren) aged between 14-24 years. Consenting participants' mental health needs relating to their mother's cancer diagnosis will be assessed by a qualified clinical psychologist in a 30-60 minute session to talk about how the participant is coping and about any emotional concerns they may have. After the discussion, the psychologist will make suggestions about ways to support the participant further if needed. The participant will then enter into one of four cohorts: 1. no further intervention required 2. information provision - information about the mother's breast cancer diagnosis and ways to access further services if required will be provided by the clinical psychologist. Information will be both verbal and written and age-appropriate and has been designed by the clinical psychologists involved in this study. 3. referral to external agencies for those participants deemed by the clinical psychologist to be most likely to derive benefit from external support rather than in-house counselling Factors may include: • Acute economic or social crisis, experiencing suicidal ideation, current psychosis, or in a high-risk situation. • Current severe alcohol or substance misuse. • Primarily needing assistance for issues unrelated to mother’s breast cancer e.g., obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders External service providers may include, but are not limited to: • Non-government organisation – Relationships Australia, Anglicare, Women’s health & family services – Kids in Focus (no – low cost) • Canteen – support services for young people aged 12-25 who have a parent with cancer (no cost) • Private Clinician (e.g., Mental health professionals such as clinical psychologist, psychologist, clinical social worker, psychiatrist) (cost) • Community Mental Health Service – WA Health department – depending on age of young person, if significant and severe mental health concerns are identified a referral can be made together, with their GP (no cost) 4. Participants in cohort 4 will be offered individual sessions with the clinical psychologist, with the duration of sessions based on clinical judgement and for up to 6 sessions. The focus of the sessions will include information, skills and strategies for moderating variables such as mother’s depression, mother’s coping and parenting style. Participants’ primary family physician will be provided with a written summary of concerns and the recommendation made by the clinical psychologist. Confirmation of intervention adherence in cohorts 2 and 4 will be documented in psychologist’s records. Adherence to a recommended external provider cannot be objectively confirmed but will be self-reported by participants.