HIV and mental health: Improving generic NHS talking therapy services for people living with HIV in England
National AIDS Trust investigated the suitability of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services for people living with HIV and surveyed how people living with HIV had used the NHS talking therapy services in England.
The report reveals a lack of HIV knowledge and understanding within IAPT services, and IAPT services poor integration with wider HIV healthcare services stopped them from working effectively with some people living HIV.
Despite major progress in treating and preventing HIV, HIV stigma remains rife and contributes to poor mental health, isolation and loneliness. It often prevents people from getting the help they need.
People living with HIV are twice as likely to experience feelings of depression or anxiety than the general population, and more than 1 in 3 report being diagnosed with a mental health condition at some time