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Addressing Psychosocial Support Needs of Transitioning Adolescents Living with HIV Since Childhood: A Global Perspective. Rena Greifinger, MS Independent Consultant Director, One Love Project at Next Step. 2012 International AIDS Conference Washington D.C. USA. Anatomy of an Adolescent Brain.
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Addressing Psychosocial Support Needs of Transitioning Adolescents Living with HIV Since Childhood: A Global Perspective Rena Greifinger, MS Independent Consultant Director, One Love Project at Next Step 2012 International AIDS ConferenceWashington D.C. USA
Anatomy of an Adolescent Brain Living with HIV ADHERING TO MEDS FEELING ISOLATED AND DEPRESSED DISCLOSURE TAKING CARE OF OTHERS GETTING TO THE DOCTOR DEALING WITH STIGMA COPING WITH LOSS
What Does Psychosocial Mean? Unpacking our definition. • Psycho - Feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. • Social - Interactions, culture, family, peers, school. • Psychosocial support • Individual and group counseling • Peer support • Case management • Psychosocial well being ICAP Adolescent HIV Care and Treatment
SOCIETY/POLICY Gender inequality Political inertia COMMUNITY Stigma Unsupportive schools Churches/religious institutions Policies go unnoticed Lack of funding ORGANIZATIONAL Stigma Workplace discrimination Weak referral systems Weak linkages to care Lack of trained professionals INTERPERSONAL Loss/bereavement Stigma Disclosure Weak social/family support Stigma INDIVIDUAL Coping w/diagnosis Fear/anxiety about the future Mental health/substance use Stigma poverty
4 Recommendations from the field, for the field
Recommendations from the field, for the field • Provide psychosocial support that is holistic, intentional and sustainable • Address all clinical and psychosocial needs • Design programs for ALHIV specifically • Provide long-term support
Recommendations from the field, for the field • 2. Provide training and capacity-building • Clinical care needs • Sexual and reproductive health • Creating a youth-friendly environment
Recommendations from the field, for the field 3. Critically involve ALHIV • Treat ALHIV as the experts that they are • Create meaningful partnerships with adults • Shift paradigm from survival to quality of life • Harness the power of peers
Recommendations from the field, for the field 4. Improve linkages to care & support • SRH services including PMTCT • Adult care services • Peer and psychosocial support • Education and employment support
Recommendations from the field, for the field Cross-cutting themes • Stigma • Sustainable resources
No Longer Voiceless Conference • Annual 5-day retreat for YPLHIV and health care providers • Grounded in positive youth development • Ongoing engagement model
2012 Agenda * disease progression * adherence * poetry interviewing * financial literacy * advocacy *yoga * complementary therapies * housing * college options * non-college options * substance use * sexual health * relationships * disclosure * zumba * music therapy * painting *public speaking * resume writing *social media * peer pressure * bullying * dancing * stress management * the law * nutrition *
Impact • Improved confidence, attitude, self-efficacy • Increased linkages to care, psychosocial support, job training, advocacy, media; etc. • Replication • One Love West Coast • SHIFT Uganda