In Poland, over a quarter of the population aged 18 and older has experienced a mental health problem. Only 16% of individuals with mental health disorders have sought professional psychiatric or psychological assistance. This stems not only from limited specialist availability but also due to the prejudices held by others against individuals facing mental health challenges (EZOP II, 2021).
Who is implementing the Polish pilot?
The Co-Captain project in Poland is being implemented at the Medical University of Lodz, with coordination provided by the team at the Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation under the leadership of Professor Magdalena Wrzesińska – a recognized expert in public health and healthcare innovation. Professor Wrzesińska not only oversees the national implementation but is also personally involved in the process, serving as one of the patient navigators in Lodz.
The Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, composed of researchers and specialists in mental health includes also Dr Magdalena Kostyła (psychologist; pilot coordinator and navigator), Jarosław Rakoczy, M.A. (psychologist; navigator) and Magdalena Stachurska-Latkowska, a recovery assistant and navigator. Additionally, the Department of Sociology, Medical University of Lodz led by Dr Magdalena Wieczorkowska provides substantive support in the analysis of qualitative data.
The combined efforts of this multidisciplinary team are making it possible to implement and continuously evaluate an intervention aimed at supporting and motivating people with mental health challenges to adopt healthier lifestyles. The overarching goal of this initiative is cancer prevention within this vulnerable population.
Where is it being implemented?
So far, nearly 100 participants from Lodz have been recruited, largely owing to an extensive information campaign – including posters and leaflets distributed in local healthcare centers, as well as an active social media outreach that approached a broad audience. Collaboration with institutions providing support and treatment for people with mental ill-health, such as MKK Trimed Medical Centre and the POMOST Association (Stowarzyszenie Młodzieży i Osób z Problemami Psychicznymi, Ich Rodzin i Przyjaciół) has also been crucial in reaching potential participants. All participants have benefited, or continue to benefit, from the guidance of navigators who promote healthy living and connect individuals with accessible health-related services across the city.
Local adaptations and actions carried out so far
Between January and June 2025, the project also organized a series of open, recurring workshops on healthy lifestyles, conducted by students of Physiotherapy and Public Health at the Medical University of Lodz, under the academic and organizational supervision of Magdalena Wrzesińska and Magdalena Kostyła. These workshops were met with great enthusiasm and appreciation from project participants.
In late September, in collaboration with the Academy of Healthy Aging (Medical University of Lodz) a public lecture titled “A kitchen full of health – what to eat to reduce cancer risk” was delivered by Magdalena Wrzesińska, attracting significant interest from the audience.
All these activities clearly reflect the strong commitment of the Lodz pilot center to the mission and values of the Co-Captain initiative – driven by genuine belief in the importance and transformative potential of these actions.