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Pact to host session on addressing unmet mental health needs at 25th International AIDS Conference

July 3, 2024
A Community HIV Educator in Zambia. Credit: Brian Clark/Pact.
An HIV Community Educator speaks with a family in Zambia. Credit: Brian Clark/Pact.

On Wednesday, July 24 at 12pm CEST, Pact will host a satellite session in Munich, Germany for the 25th International AIDS Conference about using evidence-informed approaches to integrate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into HIV prevention, care and treatment. 

Prioritizing mental health is critical for holistic, person-centered care and imperative to achieving and sustaining HIV epidemic control. The session will review the social determinants of mental health conditions and explore interventions that have integrated MHPSS into HIV programs, for priority and key populations, including youth, to achieve meaningful impact among those living with and at risk of HIV.  

Global mental health experts and implementers, including speakers from Pact, USAID, FACT Zimbabwe, FHI 360 and mothers2mothers will present approaches and learnings to addressing MPHSS as part of comprehensive HIV services and highlight different groups and geographies. The session will culminate with a discussion on what will be required to alter our approach to diagnosing and addressing comorbid mental health conditions among people most vulnerable to HIV.  

In addition to this year’s satellite session, Pact staff from around the world will convene with other leaders and advocates in the scientific and global health community in Munich to present key results and lessons learned to stop the spread of HIV among vulnerable populations and improve the lives of those most affected by the disease.  

The e-posters featuring Pact staff include: 

To learn more about the program for the 25th International AIDS Conference, please visit the official website. Follow us @Pactworld on social media to see highlights from the event on July 22 through July 26.