Resources
We have developed multiple resources to support people affected by MCAS and those caring for people with MCAS.
Some of our resources are for children and families, others are for adults. Use the tabs at the bottom of this page to find the right resources for you.
School Freedom Kit
After nearly 18 months of work, our Freedom Kit is finally ready to share!
This kit is a resource for families to use to share information with schools in order to help create a plan for children with MCAS in education settings. The kit has information about MCAS and spaces to record information about your child or the child you care for with MCAS to make it easier to share this with education and childcare settings.
We would love to hear your feedback about this resource.
Download the full pack here!
Parent support leaflet
Our parent support leaflet has developed to help support parents and carers of children living with systemic mast cell activation and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
It provides suggestions for how to care for your personal mental wellbeing whilst caring for someone with MCAS, and shares ideas and suggestions for how to communicate and support each other as a family.
In this leaflet, we hope to share ideas and suggestions that support a positive way of thinking and approaching a new way of family life, whilst accepting the challenges that may lay ahead.
Download our newly launched parent support leaflet here
Casper the Chameleon
We are delighted to have published a children's book, Casper the Chameleon. Written by our very own Director of Operations, Joy Mason.
Order your copy for free by emailing denise@mastcellaction.org.
We hope the following resources will be used in partnership with the book to support wellbeing in the MCAS community.
Read more about Casper and how to get your FREE copy here.
"I just wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt 'thank you' from all our family for your lovely chameleon book and discussion cards. We're in a tough place at the moment where both our sons have crashed with a huge flare-up of their mast cell disorder. And your book was there to help us open the conversation with them about why their bodies are feeling the way they are and to help them find the words and space to tell us how it feels for them."
Resources for families
MCAS for Disability Officers
This information guide about MCAS, and the additional needs a student with MCAS may have, can be shared with Disability Officers and other members of staff at universities.
31.07.2023
MCAS and higher education
This resource has been designed to provide general guidance and help students to access support as they approach further education at university.
19.07.2023
Full school pack
This PDF combines our freedom kit, MCAS for teachers pack and letter for schools in one handy download.
29.06.2023
Freedom Kit
The resource pack to help you to share vital information about your child's mast cell disorder with school and other care-givers.
29.06.2023
MCAS for teachers
This pack can be used to share information about MCAS with teachers and other care-givers.
29.06.2023
Letter for schools
Use this letter template along with the Freedom kit to share your child's needs with their school or childcare provider
29.06.2023
Doctor visit preparation form
A form designed to help you to plan the questions you would like to ask and symptoms you would like to discuss at medical appointments.
25.06.2021Wellbeing resources for families
Meditation by Deborah Bircham with music shanti by Annie Brunson
A short mindfulness practice for those feeling illness or discomfort
04.07.2023
Mast cells and the mind
A PDF to support our session on mast cells and the mind by Deborah Bircham
04.07.2023
My Feel better plan
When we are feeling worried or scared it can be tricky to find a way to feel better about the things that are bothering us. Download and complete this plan which you can follow when those worries feel overwhelming.
29.06.2023
The Spoon Theory
People with chronic illnesses like MCAS often have limited energy. In the spoon theory, by Christine Miserandino, this is represented as having 12 spoons per day. This can help to explain the impact of some everyday tasks on those living with chronic illness.
29.06.2023
The puzzle of you
In the same way that a jigsaw is made up of lots of different pieces, each of us are madeup of lots of different parts too. This puzzle can help you to talk about MCAS being just one part of that puzzle.
24.06.2021
Your wellbeing bucket
An exercise to help children identify the things which make them feel good, those which don't and what helps them to feel better when things aren't going so well.
26.05.2021
Ball of wool game
The ball of worries activity introduces children to a practical coping strategy to make thoughts and worries appear more manageable.
26.05.2021
Parent support leaflet
A leaflet designed to help support parents and carers of children living with systemic mast cell activation and MCAS. It provides suggestions for how to care for your personal wellbeing whilst caring for someone with MCAS, and shares ideas and suggestions for how to communicate and support each other as a family.
25.05.2021
Feel good jar
An exercise to help you find the activities that make you feel good and may help to improve your mood. Suitable for children and adults.
24.05.2021
Perceived stress scale - Adults
This worksheet helps you to estimate your personal stress levels and gives you an idea of your current wellbeing.
24.05.2021
Mood check-in sheet - children
This is a quick and easy resource designed to help you, and those that care about you, to check-in with how you are doing.
24.05.2021Resources for adults
MCAS for Disability Officers
This information guide about MCAS, and the additional needs a student with MCAS may have, can be shared with Disability Officers and other members of staff at universities.
31.07.2023MCAS and higher education
This resource has been designed to provide general guidance and help students to access support as they approach further education at university.
19.07.2023Doctor visit preparation form
A form designed to help you to plan the questions you would like to ask and symptoms you would like to discuss at medical appointments.
25.06.2021Wellbeing resources for adults
Meditation by Deborah Bircham with music shanti by Annie Brunson
A short mindfulness practice for those feeling illness or discomfort
04.07.2023Mast cells and the mind
A PDF to support our session on mast cells and the mind by Deborah Bircham
04.07.2023The Spoon Theory
People with chronic illnesses like MCAS often have limited energy. In the spoon theory, by Christine Miserandino, this is represented as having 12 spoons per day. This can help to explain the impact of some everyday tasks on those living with chronic illness.
29.06.2023Perceived stress scale - Adults
This worksheet helps you to estimate your personal stress levels and gives you an idea of your current wellbeing.
24.05.2021
Mood check in sheet - Adult
This is a quick and easy resource designed to help you, and those that care about you, to check-in with how you are doing.
24.05.2021Self-management
MCAS Self-management toolkit
This toolkit contains information about substances in food and in the environment that can affect mast cell activity or trigger MCAS symptoms. It also includes practical advice to help you understand and avoid these triggers, as needed.
26.06.2023
MCAS symptom log
13.06.2023
The histamine bucket theory
This histamine bucket is a useful visual aid in trying to understand the impact of factors contributing to histamine levels.
18.03.2022
Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance (SIGHI)
SIGHI is an organisation that provides information about histamine-related disorders.
18.03.2022The low histamine chef
Blogs, books and recipes written by the low histamine chef (Yasmina Ykelenstam), a health journalist who has managed her own histamine intolerance for more than 10 years.
18.03.2022
Medication log - adult
A medication timetable to log daily medications
25.06.2021
Medication log - children
A medication log blank which you can use to record medications, dosages and medication times in order to keep on track.
26.05.2021Become a friend
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