Supporting the mental health of young adults diagnosed with cancer (MELODIC)

We support young adults with cancer

Duration of the project

1.9.2024. – 30.8.2027

Source of funding

EU4Health

Total funding

1 800 000 €

The MELODIC project aims to promote the mental health and well-being of young adults with cancer and their loved ones. This will be done by developing a more systematic assessment of symptoms and needs, and by early identification and response to mental health and psychosocial support needs during the first year after cancer diagnosis.

The project will provide information on the mental health support needs of young adults with cancer (18-35 years) and their loved ones, and on the experiences of health professionals in supporting young adults with cancer. This will complement existing evidence on the mental health needs of young adults with cancer and help to tailor and refine systematic assessment of symptoms and needs and early interventions that support mental health and well-being and help to address the mental health needs of the target population.

The project will develop and test an intervention to support young adults and their loved ones to maintain and improve their mental health and well-being during the first year after diagnosis. The intervention will include natural health and well-being activities in a group setting (social prescribing), combined with information provision (psychoeducation).

The project will develop training for health professionals and a recommendation aimed at increasing health professionals’ knowledge of mental health issues throughout the patient care pathway. The aim of the training is to increase professionals’ skills in screening, early identification and management of the mental health needs of young adults and their families. The project believes that by investing in the training of health professionals, inequalities in access to support can be reduced.