Multidisciplinary providers’ perspectives on engaging young black, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men living with HIV in mental health care services

ABSTRACT

Young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) living with HIV are at high risk for psychological stressors and comorbidities. We sought to gain the perspectives of multidisciplinary providers (including HIV care, mental health care, and social service providers) on their experiences with engaging YB-GBMSM in mental health care within comprehensive HIV primary care centers that included both types of services on-site. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with fifteen providers in two clinics, and analyzed the qualitative data using a thematic analysis approach. Our participants described high levels of need for mental health services among YB-GBMSM living with HIV, due to psychological challenges related to living with HIV as well as other frequently occurring life stressors. At the same time, barriers to accessing these services were identified, with mental health stigma, under-recognition of symptoms and confidentiality concerns being the most commonly cited. Strategies to improve mental health service uptake in light of these needs and barriers were discussed, including re-framing of mental health services, addressing logistical barriers, and utilization of a biopsychosocial perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health services
• HIV/AIDS
• Black/African-American
• sexual minority
• adolescence/young adulthood

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the NIH/NIAID-funded Emory Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI050409). We would like to thank the staff of the Grady Infectious Disease Program and the Emory University Hospital – Midtown clinic for their participation in the study. Transcription was conducted by Exceptional TBS, Inc.