ALTHEA

tAckLing menTal Health cancer patients and their families: digital solutions for bEtter cAre

ABOUT ALTHEA

An estimated 1 in 20 Europeans has now faced a cancer diagnosis.

This disease not only takes a toll on the body but also weighs heavily on mental health. Patients undergoing cancer treatment as well as survivors,

 after their treatment, often face a cascade of psychological and cognitive challenges, including anxiety, depression, fear, and uncertainty. This can severely impact the quality of life for patients, their families and caregivers.

Unfortunately, psychological support is often lacking due to inequalities in access and the lingering stigma surrounding mental health. Many patients, especially those from underserved regions or disadvantaged backgrounds, do not receive adequate mental health screening or care.

ALTHEA works to address these issues.  

Solutions exist. Systematic mental health screening ensures that patients are given timely access to psychological support. And early intervention is key. By recognising warning signs, healthcare professionals can intervene sooner, preventing emotional distress from escalating and providing more personalised care.

ALTHEA aims to provide high-quality, remote, psychological support through digital platforms. By designing software that can be easily used on simple devices, we ensure that the tool is accessible in remote regions and to those with limited access to technology.

Beyond supporting patients, ALTHEA will develop guidance and best practices for oncology professionals, promoting a collaborative approach between them and mental health professionals. By cementing mental health support in the cancer pathway, ALTHEA is setting a new standard for comprehensive cancer care.

ALTHEA CONSORTIUM

The Althea consortium is composed of 29 partners around Europe. Coordinator: P.I. Prof. Gabriella Pravettoni., Ph.D. European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy

• Clinical centers will test the Althea platform. Contribute actively in designing and developing the solution, map disparities in mental health care, and provide clinical recommendations.
• Executive committee will monitor and supervise all aspects of the project's progress, encompassing scientific, technical, and administrative components
• Scientific, Stakeholder and Technical steering committee will provide feedback on the main findings and research activities along the entire project, and actively collaborate in drafting the requested guidelines.
• Patient advocacy, ethics, legal and regulation oversight committee will provide feedback on the main findings and research activities throughout the entire project. It will provide important advice regarding the contents and the design of the Althea Platform, and contribute to patients' engagement.
• Research consultative partners will provide advice and feedback on research procedures and methodologies.
• Platform design consultative partners will provide valuable insights, guidance, and recommendations regarding the platform's content, functionality, scalability, and performance.
• Technology experts will develop, maintain, and evaluate the Althea platform, ensuring it meets the highest standards of technical excellence and research rigor
• Partners responsible for dissemination will provide the dissemination of the Althea project and research results worldwide.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

This project is co-funded under the EU4Health Programme 2021–2027 under grant agreement no. 101161236.