Special Feature – Mental Health – SA Accountancy Magazine – Tony Singleton, CEO Turnberry
November 2023
Lifestyle and Tech – November 2023
The Witness
FA News
A diagnosis of cancer or another dread disease is a devastating blow, not only for the patient but for their family and loved ones. The diagnosis itself, the trauma of going through treatments and the bereavement of losing someone all take their toll on mental wellbeing.
Depression, anxiety, and mental illness frequently go hand in hand with physical illnesses like cancer. It is an isolating experience, and often people struggle through these feelings alone, but this does not have to be the case.
There is help available with programmes designed to support families on the cancer journey. There is also financial support available from elements such as gap cover, where value-added benefits may cover items like trauma counselling, which can be a lifeline in times of great need.
Looking after your mental health is essential, both for fighting disease and coping with the trauma of diagnosis and subsequent loss.
Support for patients and families
Sound mental health is absolutely critical, both for patients fighting cancer and for families who are on this journey with a loved one or have already experienced a loss.
Especially when a diagnosis or a loss is sudden and unexpected, feelings of anger, grief, frustration and guilt are common, and all of these emotions come into play at various stages, often in waves. We often feel the need to be strong, which typically involves locking our feelings away, but this frequently leads to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed.
There is also a persisting perception that seeking help means you are weak, but nothing could be further from the truth. Mental strength is essential in fighting diseases like cancer, and developing this strength requires support.
Professional help can be hugely valuable in helping you to process grief and give you the tools you need to deal with challenges in a constructive way, whether you have lost a loved one, are going through treatment, or have someone close to you who has received a diagnosis.
However, often the cost of this can put people off, especially when they are already facing potential medical-expense shortfalls relating to cancer treatments.
This is where gap cover is essential. Not only does gap cover give you peace of mind that many of these shortfalls will be covered, but certain providers also have value-added benefits.
Providing peace of mind
Knowing that care is available and that finances will not be a hurdle in receiving the treatment you or a loved one needs, whether for physical or mental health, can significantly reduce the massive stress that critical illness and dread disease create. This then gives more freedom to focus on fighting the disease itself, rather than worrying about paying for treatments.
The best advice I can give people is to make sure they have the options available to explore, to make better choices that can lead to better outcomes. Having gap cover in place facilitates many more choices, but people need to be open to asking for and receiving help, especially when it comes to mental wellbeing.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, and there is help available. Reach out, get as much information as you can, and take advantage of what is there and available. You do not have to walk this journey alone.
Evy Michalopoulos is the founder and chief executive officer of Machi Filotimo Cancer Project, a non-profit organisation that raises awareness about cancer, its symptoms and treatment, and helps to guide cancer patients and their families as they navigate this difficult journey.
https://pdf.novusgroup.co.za/assets/pdf/NOVUS_Accountancy_SA_ASA_2023-10-01_NTY3MDYzOTIa_17223owwn.pdf
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What is Gap Cover?
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Client Testimonials
I had excellent service from your claims department and a swift payout to cover my shortfall with an Orthopaedic Surgeon. I would recommend Turnberry to anyone considering Gap Cover as it is an essential addition to your Medical Aid. Turnberry Cancer Lump Sum Payment has helped us hugely with all the incidental costs. Gap Cover is a ‘must have’. Christopher
Doctors charged above medical aid rates which required upfront co-payments. These co-payments were submitted to Turnberry for processing. My claim form was completed and submitted to my Broker on 29 June 2021. Payment of my 1st diagnosis of cancer was paid on 16 July 2021. On 9 July 2021, I received an email to advise that my claim was submitted to an assessor to conclude the assessment. Your timeous and prompt responses and feedback has assured me that Turnberry provides the best value for money which has benefitted me during my claim experience. I believe Turnberry provide a prompt, fast and efficient customer service and satisfaction. I would recommend Gap Cover which helps with the additional medical expenses. It covers the shortfall where Doctors and Hospitals charge above medical aid rate. The up-front co-payments for certain procedures and admission can be claimed from Gap Cover if you have the right benefit product in place. Excellent service. Highly recommended. Vijay
Turnberry’s Gap Cover Insurance assisted our family tremendously. My husband was diagnosed with cancer and the once off payment helped a lot with extra medical expenses.
The claiming process was easy and painless. The claim was finalised quickly. This was a huge relief as, having been diagnosed with cancer, it was one less thing to worry about. Make sure that you have GAP cover. It could be the difference between being able to pay all your medical accounts and having to go into debt to cover the unexpected costs.
For more testimonials on Turnberry’s support and service during and post claims which have been submitted, please go to the link below.
https://turnberry.co.za/beta/client-testimonials/