UWOCASO “MENTALLY CANCER FREE <(>&<)> THRIVING” sets out to position mental health as central in the lives of women cancer patients, survivors and their families. Their mental health is grossly affected by the lack of basic needs such as food, transport to health facilities, free cancer treatment and support from spouses and family during cancer treatment and survivorship. UWOCASO and BUHOP in the past have supported cancer patients psychologically through counselling and economic empowerment. Through experience and the aftermathof COVID-19, we have learnt that without being mindful of their mental state the success of our interventions may not be sufficient. MENTALLY CANCER FREE <(>&<)> THRIVING will scale up these interventions by primarily addressing mental health challenges of the rights holders. UWOCASO being composed of cancer survivors, makes it easier for new patients to accept reality and walk the recovery journey without focusing on “the cancer” but rather on their mental and physical well-being (NOTHING ABOUT USWITHOUT US)

Public health measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, adversely affected cancer service provision in Uganda. This increased Rights holders’ stress due to fear, anxiety and their vulnerability to violence, exploitation and abuse. In addition, the prevailing negative ways of handling emotional challenges, focuses on the disease, forgetting the mental health support to prepare Rights holders cope with resulting disabilities and live positively after treatment.

MENTALLY CANCER FREE <(>&<)> THRIVING will boost existing programs for rights holders to meet their multi-disciplinary care needs through provision of mental, emotional, social and economic skills in orderto help them realise positive life during cancer care.  It will engage and educatemen and young people, which is imperative in supporting women in dealing with mental challenges during cancer treatment.  Skilling rights holders in coping techniques, simple vegetable gardens and poultry project will improve their nutritional, daily foodneeds, mental and physical well-being. It will further empower rights holders, economically enough for them to cater for other needs, including but not limited to transport to hospital and fees for their children. It will also empower institutions and health facilities to identify and address mental health challenges plus making the issues visible to policy makers.
OUTCOMES-
- Skilled and empowered women THRIVING in income generating activities to reduce dependence
- An active team of Rights holdersandtheir spouses, advocating for psycho-social support
- A district-based evidenceon causes and effects of mental health among Rights holders
- Routine assessment and management of mental health integrated in routine care in major district health facilities.
- An active psycho-social support corner at one health facilities in Wakiso district

- A functional referral system between health care providers and “MENTALLY CANCER FREE <(>&<)> THRIVING”, for women experiencing mental health challenges.
 Increasedawareness of mental health related problems experienced by Rights holders
 An exclusive data baseof women cancer survivors in Mende sub county – Wakiso.
MENTALLY CANCER FREE <(>&<)> THRIVING will change individual and intuitional attitudes and practices insupporting Rights holders to access mental health care services equitably.