SUPPORT is now on offer for those sharing the brain cancer journey with a loved one, following the recent release of the MHF Breathing Space app.

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A pilot trial for the MHF Breathing Space app is now aiming to recruit 100 people who have a loved one diagnosed with brain cancer to join and experience the app, so it can be fine-tuned ahead of its launch to a wider audience.

Developed by mental health researchers at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), with the support of a grant from the Mark Hughes Foundation, the MHF Breathing Space app offers a safe space for families and friends of people living with brain cancer via a community of mental health professionals and people with lived experience of brain cancer.

The app is part of a larger research project being conducted by a team of mental health researchers to help develop a tailored online program to offer support information and strategies for coping.

Mark Hughes said the new app allows brain cancer support providers an outlet to air their frustrations and feelings after a hard day.

“When someone you love is diagnosed with brain cancer your world is turned upside down, there’s so much to process and it impacts everyone in your circle,” Mark said.

“If someone feels overwhelmed they can just go into their room, close the door and privately access the support they need via the app.”

The Breathing Space app has been tested in clinical trials and is now being piloted with family and friends supporting a person affected by brain cancer.

The pilot program will help researchers learn more about the types of support that people need during a diagnosis and beyond.

Researchers will also be conducting a phone and online survey to find out how families and friends are impacted by a loved-one’s brain cancer diagnosis.

This information will then inform the development of a web-based platform to offer even more support.

The Breathing Space app is available to eligible users via the App Store and Google Play.

To find out more about the Breathing Space community for families and friends affected by brain cancer visit https://breathingspace.community/mark-hughes-foundation-community.

By Emma DARBIN