In the HIV-positive population, how important is good mental health in conjunction with good physical health care?
It is terribly important to integrate good mental health care with good physical health care. For instance, research in the United States has shown that depression can significantly influence HIV-related mortality and treatment adherence. In my opinion, this is one of the challenges of working in India, where mental-health care is not given due importance. Through my work, I have recognized that mental-health care, if addressed, is usually done by HIV counselors and social workers. This involves education, pre- and post-test counseling, adherence counseling and so on. These counselors work hard to motivate their clients. But structured programs and services are not available that specifically address mental-health problems such as depression, anxiety and so on. Unfortunately, mental health in India is associated with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, which are also highly stigmatized. How have religious communities responded to people with HIV? In my interviews with HIV-infe
