13 November 2025

On November 12, 2025, MMD Member, MEP Peter Agius (EPP, Malta), hosted IDF Europe’s youth-led breakfast event, “The Sound of Diabetes”, to mark World Diabetes Day 2025. Co-designed with young diabetes advocates from the IDF Europe YOURAH network, the event built on the Youth Policy Dialogue on Diabetes held in July 2025 and aimed to spotlight the mental health challenges faced by young people living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D).

The discussion highlighted three key dimensions of daily life with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), chosen by the young advocates themselves. They first stressed that although health is both physical healthcare practices still tend to focus almost exclusively on physical needs. As a result, mental health support remains insufficient, even though the psychological aspects of diabetes management are just as vital.

They also underlined that young people with T1D continue to face stigma and discrimination in schools, universities and workplaces. Misconceptions and a lack of awareness fuel exclusion, with tangible, adverse consequences for their mental well-being and overall quality of life.

Finally, young advocates emphasised the fact that there are powerful ways to promote inclusion and empowerment. Sport stands out as a particularly strong example: its benefits for both physical and mental health are well established. However, many young people living with T1D still hesitate to participate fully, due to fears of stigma or health-related complications. Ensuring genuinely inclusive sporting environments would support greater participation, while offering clear benefits for their physical and mental health.

We wish to thank MEP Estelle Ceulemans (S&D, Belgium), Georg Haeusler (DG EAC, European Commission), and MMD Member MEP Peter Agius (EPP, Malta) for their engagement and support throughout this event. We also extend our warm thanks to all members of the YOURAH network who took part in the event, shared their testimonies and contributed to the development of this youth‐led initiative.