Mental Health Screening and Treatment to Improve HIV Outcomes
In Mozambique, HAI supported the introduction and integration of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) to screen for and treat mental disorders within HIV-positive populations and improve HIV treatment outcomes.
HAI’s MENTAL HEALTH PORTFOLIO HAS TRANSFERRED TO CSM
As of October 2021, HAI fully transferred all global operations and active Mozambique programs to CSM, an independent local NGO with a board, leadership, and staff that reflects the communities they serve.
Stay up to date on mental health in Mozambique and follow CSM’s full portfolio by clicking any CSM logo on this website.
Mental disorders and HIV are the two leading causes of all years lived with disability in Mozambique. An estimated 20-30% of people living with HIV also experience common mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In Mozambique, an estimated 2.2 million people are living with HIV. Unfortunately, only 7.2% of primary health facilities in the country offer mental healthcare, causing common mental illnesses to often go untreated. Research suggests that addressing these comorbidities can improve HIV treatment adherence and retention and increase the probability of viral suppression.
To address this challenge, HAI piloted CETA within HIV-positive populations in Mozambique. The CETA model—designed by collaborators at the UW and Johns Hopkins University for use in low-resource settings— is a validated mental health screening tool that increases access to mental healthcare via trained lay counselors (pictured above). CETA lay counselors screen individuals for symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorder and can provide point-of-care best-evidence psychological treatments according to each patient’s individual needs.
HAI-LIGHTS
In March 2019, sixteen counselors completed 2-weeks of training in CETA counseling techniques, followed by 6-weeks of applied practice. By May 2019, the newly trained counselors were screening and providing supervised care to patients in five public health facilities in Sofala Province. Over half of HIV-positive individuals screened have shown high symptoms of mental health disorder, including thoughts of suicide. After 4 sessions of CETA, patient symptoms appear to decrease by >50%.
“I was a lost person. I felt lost. I was… I asked myself, am I a person at all? I said, no I do not think I’m a person. I didn’t like myself at all. I felt alone. But, when I attended this program, there were people who really helped me. They helped me the first week that I came. I was a person with a full head, but suddenly that went away.”
– Person living with HIV, screened by a CETA Lay Counselor
Want to dig a little deeper?
News/Media
| Integration of Mental Health and HIV Services Improve Patient Engagement & Retention | HAI Media, 2020 |
| One doctor, two million patients: Mental health care in Africa | Radio, KUOW, 2019 |
| WCFD Friday Flix: Health Alliance International | Video, WCFD, 2019 |
| UW DGH Annual Report: Improving Mental Healthcare for HIV+ Individuals in Mozambique | UW DGH, 2019 |
| Meet the CETA Lay Counselors | HAI Media, 2019 |
| Meet the CETA Supervisors | HAI Media, 2019 |
Tools
Funding
[2020-2021] Central-level technical assistance to national implementation of a mental healthcare package integrated into HIV care and treatment in Mozambique.
This project received funding support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under award #U91HA06801, via a subagreement from the University of Washington.
[2019-2020] Scale-up of a trans-diagnostic integrated mental healthcare model for HIV+ individuals with common mental disorders in Mozambique.
This project received funding support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under award #U91HA06801, via a subagreement from the University of Washington.
[2018-2019] Development and implementation of a demonstration project of integrated mental healthcare for HIV+ individuals with common mental disorders.
This project received funding support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under award #U91HA06801, via a subagreement from the University of Washington.
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Our Mission
Our mission is to promote policies and support programs that strengthen government primary health care and foster social, economic, and health equity for all. Our vision is a just world that promotes health and well-being, including universal access to quality health care.
Our History
Health Alliance International began in 1987 as a US-based international solidarity organization committed to supporting the public sector provision of health care for all. Over 35 years, HAI conducted programs in 17 countries, with flagship programs in Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, and Timor-Leste.
Our Evolution
In line with HAI’s commitment to support and strengthen local public health leadership, as of October 2021, HAI fully transitioned global operations and active programs to locally-based, locally-led NGOs. Learn more about this shift toward local autonomy and equity in global health.
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