The Department of Health Services just released a “Public Health Perspectives Focus Paper” on HIV Infection and Mental Health.  The Focus Paper points to the fact that:

• Nearly half of study participants had screened positive for a mental health disorder
• Nearly 40 percent reported illicit drug use other than marijuana
• 12 percent screened positive for drug dependence
• Greater than one-third screened positive for major depression and approximately 25% screened positive for dysthymia (a less severe form of depression)

The summary states:

Mental Health is a critical factor to address in prevention and managing HIV disease. Individual with mental health disorders are at high risk for HIV infection. First and foremost is the importance of identifying individuals who need assistance in addressing mental health issues. Mental health and sustance abuse screening is essential in identifying persons at risk for mental health and substance use disorders and in providing persons access to needed services.

The Department of Health Services AIDS/HIV Program, in publishing this paper, lends additional weight to the argument we have been making regarding the need for an immediate infusion of mental health funding in the southern public health region.