For years, Kateryna Chernova had helped others cope with stress and trauma. In February 2025, her own life came to a standstill. Within just one month, she lost a large humanitarian project she had managed for years – and soon after, she received the diagnosis of breast cancer.

The diagnosis was a double shock – both professional and deeply personal. Kateryna, who had dedicated her life to supporting others, suddenly needed that same support herself. The news coincided with another loss: only a month earlier, her major mental health project – helping Ukrainians cope with the psychological toll of war – had ended. “It was a double emptiness: I lost the work that gave me purpose and my health. For someone who never stopped moving, this became a forced pause.”

It was then that she joined Mission Kharkiv’s project “Psychological Support for Cancer Patients: We Are Here!”, implemented under the “Resilient and Strong” program by the Eastern Europe Foundation with support from Switzerland. In the therapy group, Kateryna discovered something rarely found outside a safe space. Many participants were surprised that the sessions weren’t only about pain or fear, but also about joy, resilience, and the will to live. “People were shocked that in our group we could talk not only about tears and fear, but about joy and life. It’s amazing to realize – even with such a diagnosis, you can still feel happiness.”

Today, Kateryna is back at work. She holds consultations and trainings and continues to help others. “I’m grateful for this experience. The support I received became a bridge that brought me back to life – and now I can pass it on.”

For Kateryna, healing is not only about the body but also about mental and emotional recovery. She believes Ukrainians need to learn empathy – to stay close to those who are suffering, without trying to “fix” their pain. “We must teach society how to be present – not with words, but with presence.”

Thanks to the dedication of Mission Kharkiv’s psychologists and the strength of people like Kateryna, other participants have also found their inner resilience, returned to work, and rediscovered the small joys that once filled their lives before diagnosis.

“I didn’t want to hear ‘everything will be fine.’ I just wanted to be heard.”

– Kateryna, how did you learn about your diagnosis?‍

It happened very suddenly. I went for a mammogram with a new doctor because my usual specialist was ill. After the examination, the doctor said right away: “You have cancer.”
It was blunt – no preparation, no explanation. In that moment, the ground just disappeared beneath me. I had a panic attack, dizziness, I had to hold onto the table. The doctor just said: “Why are you crying? There’s a treatment protocol – you’ll be fine.” But I couldn’t hear anything anymore. It was silence – white noise.

And I thought: if only he had said it differently, with some humanity, it would have been a little easier. That’s why I truly believe doctors must be trained in empathy and communication – it’s not a small thing, it saves lives in their most vulnerable moments.

– What were your first emotions?‍

My first thought was: “This is the end.” It was fear – fear of death, of losing myself. The following weeks were like fog: the world continued, but I wasn’t in it. It felt like grieving my own life.

– How did you find the strength to seek help?‍

As a psychologist, I know that people need people. The first thing I did was look for help. Even though I understood the importance of psychological support, it was still difficult. The stigma in our society is strong – many are afraid to tell even their family. I found the courage to tell my mother and my adult son. It wasn’t easy; I had to comfort them too.

– How did you join Mission Kharkiv’s support program?‍

It was a meaningful coincidence. I was speaking at an event in Kyiv and heard one of the speakers talk about Mission Kharkiv. Afterward, I approached her and said, “I need help – personally.” That’s how I got in touch. A month after my surgery, I was invited to join a support group. It turned out to be one of the most important decisions of my life.

– How did the program affect you?‍

As a professional, I knew what group therapy was – but to experience it from the inside is completely different. Many expected only tears and pain. But we spoke about life, about joy, about strength. People were surprised to see that laughter was possible even after such a diagnosis. For me, it was a challenge to take off my “professional coat” and just be a participant – but I learned to accept help.

This project brought me back to life. Thanks to the group and the psychologists, I was able to recover, to work again, and to help others. I see how people change after therapy, how hope returns to their eyes – and that’s the most valuable thing.

– What would you say to women who are afraid to seek help?‍

Asking for support is not weakness – it’s courage. Being vulnerable, saying “I’m in pain” is an act of strength. It’s important to find your people – those who don’t say “everything will be fine,” but simply stay beside you. Support isn’t always about words. Sometimes it’s silence, coffee, a walk, or a quiet shoulder to cry on. I’m lucky – I had people like that around me.

This material was prepared as part of the project “Psychological Support for Cancer Patients: We Are Here!”, implemented by Mission Kharkiv under the “Resilient and Strong” program carried out by the Eastern Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the position of the Eastern Europe Foundation or Switzerland.

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