HIV/AIDS AND MENTAL HEALTH

The global village commemorated the World AIDS day last week on the 1st of December. The theme for the day was rightly perched as “Equalize.” “Equalise” is a slogan that calls for action in order to ensure the equitable distribution of resources in dealing with HIV. Those diagnosed with mental disorders, as we will come to observe, are vulnerable to both contracting HIV as well as developing

There is a clear relationship between HIV/AIDS and mental health. HIV and mental illnesses are both associated with stigma and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination have been found to contribute to development of poor mental health outcomes as well as poor emotional wellbeing.

Some individuals diagnosed with HIV have had their existing mental health conditions complicated. Furthermore, the stress associated with being diagnosed with HIV predisposes individuals to the development of a variety of mental disorders. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, mental disorders are likely to develop in those diagnosed with HIV by “4 to 10 fold.” Research evidence points out that those diagnosed with HIV are twice likely to develop depression than those not living with HIV.

An editorial review by Robert and colleagues highlighted that mental health impairments increase the risk to contract the virus.

Given the gravity of the highlighted problem, it is essential therefore to integrate mental health services into HIV care. This is to some extent an effort that most of the IDCC clinics in the country have been taking hid of.