Mental Health Resources
NSW Stoma recognises that mental health issues exist within our community and that it’s not always easy living with a stoma; many of us are ostomates ourselves.
So whether you’re new or not-so-new to living life with a stoma, we hope you find the below resources helpful.
NSW Stoma members
Ostomates in Australia*
Ostomates globally*
Sources
Accepting Your Stoma
STN-recommended Counsellor for Ostomates:
Mark Micelli (of Clarity Therapy) is an accredited mental health social worker who has worked with ostomates to accept their newfound stoma. Mark is based in south Sydney but also offers telehealth appointments.
A Visual Guide to a Grief, Loss & Acceptance Model from NSW Stoma
View/download our guide here.
Discussing Your Stoma With Others
Tips for talking about your stoma – Hollister
Living with a stoma – A collection of 58 articles by Dansac on various life topics
Living with a stoma – Cancer Council
13 11 20 – Cancer Council support phone line
For Kids & Parents
Telling your child about your stoma – A Bigger Life
Talking to your child about your stoma – Colostomy UK (intestine apron)
ACSA for parents and carers – Info on lots of topics related to care (everything from changes, baths, daycare, learning to walk etc.)
WA ‘Gutsy Kids’ Facebook – private group
Information for families PDF – Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
Back to school with an ostomy – ConvaTec
Managing an ostomy at school – Hollister
Meeting Others With A Stoma
MeetAnOstomate – online forum ran by Hollister
/r/ostomy – online forum on Reddit
Inspire for ostomates – forum by medical community ‘Inspire’ specifically for those with a stoma
LGBTQI+
LGBTQ+ Ostomates Facebook – private group
Shine A Light Support Group – Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Your Stoma and Your Sexual Orientation – Dansec
LGBTQI+ People & Cancer PDF – Cancer Council
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