Project aims at addressing mental health issues relating to high depressive symptoms associated with experiences of stigma and poor relationships including non-adherence to treatment among adolescents and young people living with HIV. This will be addressed by leveraging safe spaces at service points using adapted mobile ABCD tool {Ask-Boost-Connect-Discuss} which is an adolescent co-developed package of care provided by young peer supporters living with HIV to reduce adolescent depression.
Our organization piloted ABCD project at Kafue Estates Clinic, from a sample of 127 ALHIV (15 - 19 years), and 25.3% were found with high depressive symptom scores associated with experiences of stigma, and poor relationships, with 28.3% non-adherent to treatment. It was found that negative cultural attitudes to adolescents and young people living with HIV sexuality, exposure to high levels of gender based violence, and the inability to participate equally to make informed decisions.
Our organization implemented a pilot project on ABCD to facilitate improved access to MH support services and thinking healthy tools for AYPLHIV. Building upon existing clinic-community peer support strategies, 4 peer supporters at 2 health facility sites will be trained as facilitators. They will reach not less than 200 AYPLHIV peers through delivering a series of healthy thinking safe space sessions during the project period. The tool will provide information on MH and psycho-social support.
Through increased awareness raising activities, health facility quality improvement plans and clinic-community collaboration on Thinking Healthy and Safe Space methodology there will be increased understanding on the importance of good mental health among adolescents and young people living with HIV. This in turn will break down stigma and create a more enabling environment for them to seek and engage in mental health care and support.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
