Addressing Psychosocial Support Needs of

Transitioning Adolescents Living with HIV Since Childhood: A Global

PerspectiveRena Greifinger, MSIndependent Consultant

Director, One Love Project at Next Step

2012 International AIDS ConferenceWashington D.C. USA

Anatomy of an Adolescent Brain

ADHERING TO MEDS

Anatomy of an Adolescent Brain

DISCLOSURE

GETTING TO THE

DOCTOR

FEELING

ISOLATED

AND

DEPRESSED TAKING CARE OF OTHERS

Living with HIV

DEALING WITH

STIGMA

COPING WITH LOSS

What Does Psychosocial Mean?Unpacking our definition.

Psycho - Feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.

Social - Interactions, culture, family, peers, school.

Psychosocial supportIndividual and group counselingPeer supportCase management

Psychosocial well being ICAP Adolescent HIV Care and Treatment

What Psychosocial Challenges do ALHIV Face?

SOCIETY/POLICY

COMMUNITY

ORGANIZATIONAL

INTERPERSONAL

INDIVIDUALCoping w/diagnosisFear/anxiety about the futureMental health/substance useStigmapoverty

Weak social/family support

Loss/bereavement

Weak linkages to care

Weak referral systems Lack of

trained professionals

Stigma

Gender inequality

Stigma

Stigma

Stigma

Political inertia

Unsupportive schools

Workplace discrimination

Policies go unnoticed

Churches/religious institutions

Lack of funding

Disclosure

4 Recommendationsfrom the field, for the field

1. Provide psychosocial support that is holistic, intentional and sustainable

Address all clinical and psychosocial needs

Design programs for ALHIV specifically

Provide long-term support

Recommendations from the field, for the field

Recommendations from the field, for the field

2. Provide training and capacity-building

Clinical care needs

Sexual and reproductive health

Creating a youth-friendly environment

3. Critically involve ALHIV

Treat ALHIV as the experts that they are

Create meaningful partnerships with adults

Shift paradigm from survival to quality of life

Harness the power of peers

Recommendations from the field, for the field

4. Improve linkages to care & support

SRH services including PMTCT

Adult care services

Peer and psychosocial support

Education and employment support

Recommendations from the field, for the field

Cross-cutting themes

Stigma

Sustainable resources

Recommendations from the field, for the field

One Love Projecta program of Next Step

• Annual 5-day retreat for YPLHIV and health care providers

• Grounded in positive youth development

• Ongoing engagementmodel

No Longer Voiceless Conference

* disease progression * adherence * poetry interviewing * financial literacy * advocacy * yoga * complementary therapies * housing * college options * non-college options * substance use * sexual health * relationships * disclosure * zumba * music therapy * painting * public speaking * resume writing * social media * peer pressure * bullying * dancing * stress management * the law * nutrition *

2012 Agenda

Impact

• Improved confidence, attitude, self-efficacy

• Increased linkages to care, psychosocial support, job training, advocacy, media; etc.

• Replication– One Love West Coast– SHIFT Uganda

THANK YOU!