On the World Mental Health Day, 10th of October 2023, Youth Cancer Europe‘s patient advocate, Nicola Unterecker spoke at the European Commission World Mental Health Day Conference hosted by Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.
Her words resonated deeply as she highlighted the need for tailored mental health support and discussed the unspoken battles fought by young people living with and beyond cancer.
Sharing her own journey, Nicola talked about how she discovered Youth Cancer Europe, the community she never asked to be a part of, but that has become her strength to help her not just to survive but thrive. “Surviving cancer at a young age is a whole different battle altogether. Once treatment finishes, reality hits like a truck. The support system we had during treatments evaporates into thin air. Once on a battlefield, our body starts to heal, but our mind grapples with the aftermath. We find ourselves face-to-face with cancer’s profound impact on our lives. Today, I stand here as living proof that cancer does not define us; it unites us. It brings us together in ways we never thought possible. And with organizations like Youth Cancer Europe and the European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors, we are not only surviving; but thriving. I urge all of you to join forces with this remarkable community, to stand up against cancer, and to create a world where no one feels alone in their battle. Together, we can make a difference, hand in hand, heart to heart” said Nicola in her powerful intervention.
This event united passionate patient advocates, representatives from EU institutions, national governments, and international organisations.
Three vital topics were discussed during the event:
✅ Mental health across all policies,
✅ Promotion & Prevention
✅ Equal access for all
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