In Poland, more than a quarter of the adult population has experienced a mental health problem, yet only 16% of those affected have sought professional psychiatric or psychological assistance. This is largely due to the limited availability of healthcare professionals but also to the stigmatization of people with mental challenges (2021). At the same time, 1.31 million people in Poland are living with cancer (2023) and malignancies are the second leading cause of death, following cardiovascular diseases.
Recognizing the challenges faced by individuals with mental health conditions, who often have limited access to quality preventive health services, the CO-CAPTAIN project aims to develop strategies for implementing effective cancer prevention interventions tailored to this group. An important goal is to promote healthy lifestyles and increase health literacy through coordinated primary prevention activities based on the Patient Navigation Model.
Pilot activities began in Lodz, Poland in July 2024, following a pre-implementation phase and review of available services, such as health educational materials, recreational activities, and access to health promotion outpatient clinics, including dietary and anti-smoking counseling. Three Patient Navigators – two psychologists and a health promotion specialist from the Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation at the Medical University of Lodz have been engaged. Ongoing consultations are also held with two additional centers that assist individuals with mental health problems where recruitment will begin shortly.
In order to increase participation, the project is being carried out under the patronage of the City Hall of Lodz. A large-scale citywide campaign, involving city’s health facilities, social media and the local press will be launched in November.
Contact
For more information or to participate in the project at the Polish pilot center, please contact us via email at c.captain@umed.lodz.pl.
