Women’s Health Week series: Viatris and Canteen partner to close mental health care gap for young cancer patients and bring ‘meaning’ to everyday work

In celebrating Women’s Health Week (5 – 11 September), this interview in a series called Women, Equity and Health will focus on young women and mental health.

Monica Passfield, Human Relations Manager at Viatris and John Friedsam, General Manager of Fundraising at Canteen, joined Health Industry Hub to shine a light on their partnership in supporting young people impacted by cancer.

According to the latest data, 45% of Australians aged 16-85 years have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime. Mental health disorders are more prevalent in women than men and almost half (46.6%) of young females aged 16-24 years had a mental disorder in 2020 – 2021. Of added concern is the fact that young people impacted by cancer are up to six times more likely to experience high levels of distress.

John shared his insights on the key gaps in mental health care experienced by the young people that Canteen is supporting – the only organisation in Australia dedicated to providing tailored support for young people impacted by cancer. He also talked of the steps Canteen is taking to narrow the health inequities for women and girls in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, those living in rural and remote areas and for Australia’s First Nations women and girls.

In considering the impact of health technologies on mental health and wellbeing, John talked about Canteen’s ‘robot’ project in enhancing the back to school transition for young people impacted by cancer who otherwise find the process highly distressing.

Monica addressed the COVID-19 challenges that have significantly strained and tested the employee-employer relationship. She focussed on the immense benefits of community engagement for Viatris employees and the organisation. She also shared her advise with companies that may view community engagement as an additional expense that may be otherwise better spent somewhere else in their organisation and encouraged them to consider the personal and organisation purpose that is strengthened as a results of community engagement.