By TSMH 21 June, 2024

Celebrating One Year of Transforming Lives: Center for Psycho-Oncology

On July 2, 2024, the Centre for Psycho-Oncology, a pioneering initiative by the Texas School of Mental Health, marked its first anniversary. This milestone underscores our commitment to integrating mental health support with cancer care, highlighting the vital role of psychological well-being in enhancing the quality of life for patients, families, and caregivers.

In the past year, the Centre has made significant strides, providing a comprehensive array of services such as individual counseling, group therapy, support group activities, and awareness sessions. Our initiatives have focused on addressing the emotional and psychological needs of those affected by cancer and fostering a supportive community.

Among our notable achievements, we organized Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Awareness Day with art therapy sessions that explored the connection between stress and gastrointestinal health, demonstrating art's role in healing. On World Mental Health Day, we held a session to promote work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being in both professional and personal spheres.

We also made strides in raising awareness about cancer and addiction by engaging factory workers at Satkirti Filters, and honored healthcare workers on Gratitude Day with hospital visits and roses as a token of appreciation. The launch of the Cancer Support Forum has been a highlight, uniting various support groups such as YouWeCan Foundation, Umeed Foundation, and Aatman Matrimony to collaborate and share resources effectively.

We also staged the play *Karkasamaj* to raise awareness about mental health challenges in cancer care and produced podcasts featuring experts and cancer survivors. The opening of our second center in Sangamner and the launch of self-help groups for women in Pune, Thane, Mumbai, and Nashik further extended our reach and support.

As we look to the future, we are excited to collaborate with cancer hospitals to provide mental health support through workshops, training sessions, and caregiver programs across various communities. The past year's successes reflect the dedication of our team, the support of our partners, and the trust of the community. As we celebrate this anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by cancer.