HIV-related services for persons with severe mental illness: policy and practice in New Hampshire community mental health

Rates of HIV and HIV risk behaviors are elevated among people with severe mental illnesses (SMI). Little is known about the extent to which community mental health (CMH) centers screen, refer, and educate their clients regarding HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The authors surveyed CMH...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of behavioral health services & research 2000-08, Vol.27 (3), p.347-353
Main Authors: Brunette, M F, Mercer, C C, Carlson, C L, Rosenberg, S D, Lewis, B F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Adult
AIDS
AIDS/HIV
Attitudes
Behavior Therapy
Care and treatment
Community Mental Health Services
Comorbidity
Health policy
Health Services Accessibility
HIV
HIV Infections - therapy
HIV positive persons
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Medical personnel
Mental disorders
Mental health
Mental illness
Mentally ill
Mentally ill people
New Hampshire
Patient Care Team
Policy
Polls & surveys
Prevention
Psychotic Disorders - therapy
Severely
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
United States
USA
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Summary:Rates of HIV and HIV risk behaviors are elevated among people with severe mental illnesses (SMI). Little is known about the extent to which community mental health (CMH) centers screen, refer, and educate their clients regarding HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The authors surveyed CMH administrators and clinicians in New Hampshire regarding HIV/STD policy, practices, knowledge, and attitudes. HIV/STD service availability varied, and the amount of services provided was unrelated to the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in that region. Clinicians were knowledgeable about general HIV information but lacked specific knowledge about HIV related to persons with SMI. CMH staff had positive attitudes about helping clients with HIV issues. Administrators were interested in receiving training. Policy leadership, CMH practice guidelines, and training are warranted in light of the pressing public health implications of HIV/STDs among people with SMI.
ISSN:1094-3412
1556-3308
DOI:10.1007/BF02291746