With the evolution of ART and declining numbers, there’s a looming risk of downplaying the mental health and counseling needs of those with HIV.
By: Dr Nimesh G Desai
New Delhi (THP) – Research indicates that nearly 39% of the global HIV-positive population grapples with depression. Underscoring the critical necessity for consistent mental health support, I assert that every individual diagnosed with HIV deserves the means to lead a healthy life.
Despite the pivotal role of PLHA-friendly (People Living with HIV/AIDS) groups, the coordination between clinical mental health services, ART Clinics, and these groups lacks uniform strength across the country.
In our practice, we confront diverse mental health scenarios associated with HIV at different infection stages. Early detection is paramount, especially as stages progress, introducing psychiatric disorders and neural toxicity that complicate the medication process.
With the evolution of ART and declining numbers, there’s a looming risk of downplaying the mental health and counseling needs of those with HIV. Post-test counseling falls short; continuous counseling and peer support through PLHA-friendly groups are indispensable for effective treatment.
I posit that the government’s failure to appreciate, implement, or grasp the significance of counselling and mental health aspects in HIV is evident in the dismal salaries of counsellors. Despite their meager income, these dedicated individuals have been rendering exceptional service for the past 25-30 years, deserving acknowledgment and respect.
(The author is Director, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBLS), New Delhi.)
