Head & Neck Cancer Resources
The CHANCE-2 Team is here for you available to help you find resources for transportation, health insurance, prescriptions, or other available support available. If you need help finding resources to fit your needs, we’re ready to help. Call us toll-free at 1-866-927-6920, or e-mail us at chance2@unc.edu.
Head & Neck Cancer Resources
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, Inc. (SPOHNC)
SPOHNC (pronounced “Spunk”) is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness and meet the needs of oral and head and neck cancer patients. SPOHNC sponsors many events, including oral cancer screenings, educational fairs, tasting events, and move to music classes. For more information, visit spohnc.org.
The Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF)
OCF offers education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities for oral cancer patients and caregivers. They host fundraising, fun run events, awareness campaigns, and free oral cancer screenings events throughout the country. For more information, visit oralcancerfoundation.org.
Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA)
HNCA supports head and neck cancer patients and caregivers through educational information, activities to promote awareness, and resources for patients to engage and learn from one another. For more information, visit headandneck.org.
[return to top]Find a Cancer Support Group Near You
Visit the American Cancer Society website to find a cancer support group near you. Also on this page are links to more information about the ACS’s National Cancer Information Center, its Patient Lodging Programs, and Road to Recovery, which provides rides to treatment.
[return to top]Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
We understand that these are challenging times. The State of North Carolina and UNC Health have resources to help you.
Hope4NC Helpline: 1-855-587-3663
The Hope4NC Helpline is a 24/7, free service that connects North Carolinians to additional mental health and resilience supports. The aim is to help people cope and build resilience during times of crisis. Hope4NC includes a Crisis Counseling Program tailored for COVID-19. If you do not have health insurance, Hope4NC can may still be able to connect you with behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse services.
Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990
The Helpline is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week and free resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling and support in dealing with the traumatic effects of a natural or human-caused disaster. The Helpline is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
You can also reach out by texting “TalkWithUs” to 66746. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service to call the Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or call TTY 1-800-846-8517. Si Ud. se prefiere español (or conoce a alguien quien lo prefiere), llame 1-800-846-8517, y oprime numero 2. También Ud. puede enviar un mensaje de texto “Hablanos” a 66746.
Patient Family Resource Center: 984-974-8100
There are unique challenges for cancer survivors and for those still in the fight. If you are a current patient with UNC Health, the Patient Family Resource Center at the N.C. Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC, can connect you with mental health, counseling, or other resources that are knowledgeable also about how to best serve the people who had or still are fighting cancer through their Cancer Navigation Support Calls program. Call (984) 974-8100 to reach out.
“Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis” from the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
Visit this website for HNCA’s advice to navigating your treatment and safety. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a useful resources about financial assistance, emotional well-being, eating well, and support groups focused on COVID-19 and head and neck cancer.
[return to top]Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or substance abuse challenges, you are not alone. There are people ready to help.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
Counselors are available by phone, text or chat 24/7 at centers across the United States to help if you or someone you know is having thoughts about suicide or is in emotional distress. It is always free and confidential to speak with someone. If you are more comfortable texting, text Connect or MHFA to 741741, or you can chat with someone by visiting https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service, or dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255. Llame 1-888-628-9454 para hablar con algien en español.
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK(8255), press #1
The National Suicide Prevention has counselors trained specifically to address the issues faced by military veterans. To reach someone by text, text Connect to 838255.
Lifeline Crisis Chat: www.crisischat.org
Sometimes reaching out is easier online.
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline provides peer support for transgender people by members of the trans community. They provide resources on mental health through practicalities of trans living. Hours are currently 5pm – 1am ET every day of the week. Oprima 2 para hablar con unx operador en español.
Mobile Crisis Units
These units provide crisis response, stabilization, and intervention for mental health and substance use-related crises. If not an emergency, visit Crisis Solutions NC for resources in your county.
Orange and Person Counties: 1-877-8844
Durham, Wake, and Johnston Counties: 1-800-510-9132
Other counties: Call the Hope4NC helpline (1-855-587-3663), or call 911 and ask for a “CIT officer” to respond.
Finding a Local Therapist
To find someone to visit in person, follow this link, or this one, or this one. To find online therapists, go here.
[return to top]Digital Resources
There are apps for your smartphone, too, that some people have found useful and that we can share with you.
MY3 connects you a free app that has many helpful tools embedded, including the national crisis line number, a mood tracker, links to resources, etc. Go to my3app.org for links to download from Apple App Store or Google Play.
HeadSpace offers helpful mindfulness activities and resources. A subscription service, it is available for a free trial. Go to www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app to learn more and for download links.
MyLife Meditation (formerly Stop, Breathe and Think) is a free app (for its basic tier) is another recommended option for a meditation app.
Lifetiles Pro is a free option for an app with tools to manage during this crisis, including trackers for medications, sleep, and your thoughts. It is available at the Apple App Store or Google Play.
[return to top]