A REPORT has urged the Scottish Government to act after revealing significant gaps in mental health care for people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in Scotland.
The report, Beyond the Virus: Prioritising mental health for people living with HIV in Scotland, was produced by HIV Outcomes UK in partnership with National Aids Trust and has highlighted critical actions the Scottish Government can take to address the issue.
In the UK, two in five people living with HIV have a diagnosed mental health condition and the National Aids Trust condemns the fact that too many people with HIV are left without adequate support.
“The ‘Beyond the Virus’ report highlights a clear, cost-effective path forward: ensure people living with HIV can access mental health services, expand peer support, and tackle HIV stigma head-on,” said James Cole, senior policy, research and influencing manager at National Aids Trust.
“With these investments, Scotland can support people to live well with HIV and drive action to end new HIV cases.”
The report highlights three key areas that need action by the Scottish Government.
Ensure Mental Health Access for People Living with HIV
First, it calls for better access to mental health services for people living with HIV, making sure these services are available across Scotland, especially in remote areas.
Cole said that too many people “face a Postcode Lottery for support” as not everybody has easy access to services depending on where they live.
“The ‘Postcode Lottery’ for mental health support and care treatment for people in Scotland living with HIV is a significant barrier, which compounds societal inequalities that already exist, affecting marginalised communities,” said Dr Nicoletta Policek, co-chair of HIV Outcomes UK.
Tackle stigma and discrimination
Second, the report stresses the need to tackle stigma and discrimination around HIV, which affects both mental health and access to care, and urges the Government to improve awareness and support policies, laws, services and public education campaigns that fight HIV-related stigma.
Policek said that discrimination against people with HIV is still present in Scotland and, following the report's pieces of advice, “Scotland can achieve its vision of world-leading mental health support, which is so important for people living with HIV”.
Increase access to HIV peer support
Lastly, the report emphasises the importance of increasing access to HIV peer support, which helps with mental health and reduces stigma, and asks the Government to support these services more, especially in the voluntary sector.
The authors of the report highlight that Scotland has several effective peer-support services, but that the voluntary sector has been struggling with limited resources.
It urges the Government to ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to these services.
Grant Sugden, chief executive of Waverley Care, said: “At Waverley Care, we have seen firsthand the transformative impact of peer support on mental health and wellbeing.
“However, without sustained government funding for these vital services, there is a real risk that people living with HIV will continue to experience disproportionately high rates of mental health problems.”
Each year, mental health issues cost Scotland £8.8 billion but current gaps in psychological support are getting in the way of Scotland’s goal to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.
National Aids Trust denounced the £19 million cut from the Scottish Government’s August emergency budget from national mental health spending.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned that mental health services in Scotland are at breaking point.
