Besides remedy for HIV, as a pilot mission for its initiative Samvad, the Mumbai AIDS District Control Society (MDACS) had been treating People dwelling with HIV (PLHIV) for psychological sickness. The pilot survey revealed that 10.8 per cent of PLHIV members had signs suggestive of psychological well being comorbidity. Now MDACS will attain out via Samvad to the round 36,000 PLHIV throughout Mumbai.

In as we speak*s aggressive world folks have work and profession tensions, bodily points, monetary and relationship points, and all these impression their psychological well being, leading to stress, anxiousness, and typically melancholy. In view of rising psychological diseases, MDACS began the psychological well being classes ‘Samvad* within the 12 months 2021.

Identifying the problems

Speaking to mid-day, Additional Project Director of MDACS, Dr Vijay Karanjkar mentioned, “If a person has mental health issues, they will have an impact on her/his treatment. Many times we see people with HIV leaving treatment midway, or becoming irregular in taking medicines, which eventually affects their health. Through Samvad, we tried to identify the earliest sign of mental health issues in PLHIV, who come to our 20 ART centres for treatment.”

Also Read: Mumbai: BMC chief orders immediate restart of Aapli Chikitsa services

“In the pilot project our counselors screened 9,497 PLHIV, out of whom 1,033 (10.8%) had symptoms suggestive of mental health comorbidity. We found most common mental health issues were anxiety, stress, and mood disorders. Our counselors at ART centers started counseling people to overcome mental illness, and if needed, referred them for psychiatric care,” he added.

Now MDACS goals to succeed in out via Samvad to round 36,000 PLHIV throughout Mumbai. Dr Karanjkar mentioned, “Our aim is to ensure that mental health issues don*t become hindrances to HIV treatment. We want them to be fit mentally and physically.”

‘A welcome transfer*

HIV and TB activist Ganesh Acharya mentioned, “It is a welcome move by MDACS. Mental health issues are common in society, and identifying them at the earliest is very important. A decade back PLHIV faced stigma about the disease. They still are worried if they haven*t told the family and the work place about the disease. But now people manage and the stigma has also gone down. But some might need help to overcome mental illness. I am glad that such initiatives are taken up for PLHIV.”