Driving faster progress in the fight against HIV: How integrating mental health is a win-win

As the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS meets to consider what will guide the future direction of the AIDS, this side event being held on the opening day will explore both the needs and the benefits of integrating mental health and examine how much sooner global HIV and TB targets could be reached if it was.

Speakers will lay out why and how the integration of mental health needs to feature in the political declaration that comes out of the HLM, including a focus on the experience of key populations, and reveal new research showing the savings that could be made by integrating mental health into HIV and TB programmes.

The event will explore both the needs and benefits of integrating mental health into HIV responses, and lay out new research into the savings that could be made by making mental health a key part of HIV and TB programmes.

The panel of speakers includes:

• Paul Bolton, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator, USAID
• Mike Podmore, Director, STOPAIDS
• Kali Lindsey, LGBT+ Portfolio Lead, Elton John AIDS Foundation
• Vongai Munatsi, Mental Health Specialist, Africaid Zvandiri (Frontline AIDS partner)

We know that integrating mental health into HIV response is a win-win. Now is the time to step up action.

Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing hivtb@unitedgmh.org, or during the session through our live chat function.