December 1st is World AIDS Day, which the World Health Organization established in 1988. A lot has changed over the past 24 years, including some of the mental health implications of living with HIV/AIDS.
While anyone can experience mental health issues, people with HIV/AIDS are much more likely to experience depression, anxiety and grief. The support of a mental health professional can have a very positive impact on people living with HIV/AIDS. Many physicians encourage their patients to monitor and safeguard their mental health as closely as their physical health as they learn to navigate the reality of living with the disease.
According to Will Latimer, who oversees the Living and Learning with HIV Program at the WellPower, “It used to be that an HIV diagnosis was a death sentence, but that’s simply not the case anymore.”
Elanna Tryon, a clinician for the Living and Learning with HIV Program notes there are new issues facing those with HIV/AIDS, such as aging with HIV and the mental health side effects of some of the anti-HIV drugs. “We’re helping people find their way through these new issues while still supporting them in a variety of ways, from individual outpatient therapy to job placement support. And we also provide support to their caregivers whose emotional needs are sometimes overlooked.”
The Living and Learning with HIV Program offers a full range of mental health services to adults in the Denver area who are living with or are affected by HIV/AIDS. The WellPower works closely with Colorado AIDS Project, Denver Health and the Denver HIV Planning Council.
“On World AIDS Day, it’s important to acknowledge how far we’ve come, but there’s still a long way to go,” said Latimer. “There’s absolutely a need for more awareness about HIV. Incidence of the disease are on the rise in some minority groups and there’s a real need to provide emotional and financial support to the people who are living longer lives with HIV.”
Click here if you’d like more information on the Living and Learning with HIV Program.