Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109793

Michael Costa, BA, Abt Associates, Inc, 55 Wheeler Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, 617-349-2873, michael_costa@abtassoc.com, Giulia Norton, MPH, Abt Associates Inc., 55 Wheeler Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, and Barbara Silver, PhD, Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15-81, Rockville, MD 20857.

Issues:

The adverse impact of substance use on HIV and mental health status is well documented. SAMHSA estimates that 20-50% of those in mental health treatment have co-occurring substance use. Additionally, sexual risk behaviors are greatly exacerbated by negative mental health states. These circumstances particularly affect underserved minority communities with high HIV prevalence.

Description:

The SAMHSA Mental Health HIV Services Collaborative (MHHSC) program provides mental health services to HIV+ individuals in minority communities in 20 US sites, serving a total of 1,500 clients per year (50% African-American, 30% Hispanic/Latino(a) and 17% White). MHHSC collects data on:

DSM-IV Axis 1-5 diagnoses; HIV disease stage; O.I.s and other medical conditions; Substance use; Sexual risk behaviors; Trauma; and Coping

Lessons Learned/ Recommendations:

MHHSC found results similar to those in the SAMHSA estimate – 51% of MHHSC clients have multiple DSM-IV diagnoses -- and 50% of those clients have co-occurring substance use. MHHSC sites realize that dealing with co-occurring mental health and substance use is vital to quality care, but that this is but one piece of a complex puzzle. In order to address these issues, more specific information is needed regarding co-occurring mental health, substance use and medical issues, as well as psychosocial stressors and trauma. This presentation will explore combinations of co-occurring conditions and contributing stressors and will discuss their implications for those providing mental health care to HIV+ clients in minority communities.

Learning Objectives: The participants of this session will be able to

• Identify relevant contributing factors to the wellbeing of HIV+ mental health clients
• Determine how such factors interact with each other to confound treatment outcomes
• Develop strategies that can increase the efficacy of mental health services provided in traditionally underserved communities.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Mental Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.