Clinical Standards > Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV

Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV

Updating the Standards for Psychological Support for Adults living with HIV (2011): Results from a stakeholder consultation to inform the review, March 2023

This stakeholder consultation was developed to inform an update to the Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV published in 2011. Results demonstrate the clear progress in the biomedical model of HIV care has sadly not been matched by effective treatment for the mental health and wellbeing of people living with HIV.

The working group is developing updated standards, which will be launched in autumn 2024.

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Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV, November 2011

British Psychological Society (BPS), British HIV Association (BHIVA) and Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health (MedFASH)

Despite significant medical advances in HIV treatment, people living with HIV experience significantly higher rates of psychological difficulties than the general population. Psychological support improves both mental and physical health and reduces the risk of HIV transmission. Yet the availability and quality of psychological support for people living with HIV is currently variable.

These standards describe the support that all adults living with HIV should receive, from a wide range of professional groups, peers and informal providers, to enhance their mental health and their cognitive, emotional and behavioural wellbeing. They focus on:

  • the promotion of mental health and wellbeing
  • the early detection of psychological difficulties and
  • the provision of appropriate interventions for those who need them.

A valuable tool for both providers and commissioners, they support the development and maintenance of high quality, cost-effective services and care pathways for adults living with HIV.

Jointly produced by the BPS, BHIVA and MedFASH with the active engagement of a multidisciplinary working party, these first ever UK Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV are endorsed by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), the National AIDS Trust (NAT), the National HIV Nurses Association (NHIVNA), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ (RCPsych) Faculty of Liaison Psychiatry, and the Society of Sexual Health Advisers (SSHA).
 

Download Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV, November 2011

Download Standards for psychological support for adults living with HIV, November 2011