World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental health care is an integral part of overall health and quality of life.
For patients with cystic fibrosis and their families, daily life is fraught with significant challenges. Demanding treatments, stress, uncertainty about the future, and the ongoing management of a chronic disease create a unique psychological burden.
In this new era of cystic fibrosis, marked by significant therapeutic advances, emotional well-being and quality of life remain a priority for all patients, whether they are taking CFTR modulators, are not eligible for these innovative therapies, or have undergone a lung transplant.
This need is also confirmed by a recent European survey, the Rare Barometer by EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe (June 2026), according to which 7 out of 10 people living with rare diseases and their family members report mental health issues.
The findings highlight the need for meaningful psychological support and comprehensive care.
In response to this need, since 2022 the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association has been offering the “Unlimited Breath” group psychological support program free of charge to patients and caregivers throughout Greeceprogram “Unlimited Breath.”
The program is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is delivered online, with the goal of helping participants better manage anxiety and difficult emotions, to build mental resilience, and to support participants in facing the daily challenges of the disease.
This project is made possible through the invaluable volunteer work and scientific coordination of psychologist Dr. Stavroula Rakitzis, whom we warmly thank for her long-standing contribution.
In 2025, the program’s results were published in an international scientific journal, highlighting the contribution of online group psychotherapy to the mental health of patients with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers.
In 2026, the program will continue with new group sessions as part of a two-year clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of the Association’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program, through a comparison with a control group, with the voluntary support of psychologist Rena Pavlidi.
We would like to thank Dr. Stavroula Rakitzis, who since 2022 has been volunteering with dedication, sensitivity, and selflessness to the psychological support program for the Cystic Fibrosis community.
We would also like to thank Rena Pavlidi, who has been supporting our efforts over the past year through her invaluable volunteer work.
So that no one is left alone.
Together, we continue to fight for a better quality of life and Unlimited Breath for everyone!
🔗 More about the psychological support program:
cysticfibrosis.gr/draseis/programma-psychokoinonikis-ypostirixis-aperioristi-anasa/#psihologiki-ipostiriksi
