Did you know that Saddleback Church has seven Signature Ministries?
These are the unique causes Saddleback champions and hopes to empower other
churches throughout the world to do the same. Our HIV&AIDS Initiative is
one such Signature Ministry that is advocating for the church to be a source of
community and hope for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS around
the world. Saddleback’s newest signature ministry, Hope for Mental Health,
exists to say that your chemistry is not your character and that your illness
is not your identity. Because people living with HIV/AIDS are often at
heightened risk of experiencing mental health struggles, we recognize that
these two health issues are inextricably tied.
In anticipation of this month’s Hope Rising
event on May 19th for people living with mental health
struggles, here’s a bit more about how these two health issues are connected:
The relationship of mental illness and HIV/AIDS can manifest in
many different ways as good mental health is found in the balance of three core
dimensions- emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing. At the onset of
diagnosis, reconciling the news of a life-altering condition can lead to mental
health struggles that act in tandem with their other diagnoses. In fact, people
living with HIV are twice as likely to have depression compared to those who
are uninfected (NIMH, 2016). Medical advances in HIV/AIDS treatment have
improved to a point where HIV can now be a chronic, yet manageable, condition
that is not immediately fatal, the responsibilities of care to remain healthy
can prove to be burdensome.
The initiation of antiretroviral treatment for HIV can ease
anxieties present with a life-altering diagnosis and offer a sense of wellbeing
as one takes active steps to ensure their long-term health. However, the taxing
medication regimen required to achieve viral suppression and remain healthy can
trigger other fears and anxiety. Mental health struggles can make it harder for
you to take your medication on time and correctly as well as maintaining
necessary health appointments (AIDS.gov,
2014). Additionally, some antiretroviral mediations may exacerbate existing
mental health problems, or may have symptoms including sleep disturbances,
depression and anxiety (NIMH, 2016). Suffice to say, the relationship between
the clinical need of antiretroviral therapies for a person diagnosed with HIV
with potential mental health repercussions is a complicated dynamic. Those
experiencing a dual-diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and a mental health condition are
advised to consult their medical provider for guidance on the best course of
simultaneous treatment to address both concerns.
A person living with HIV/AIDS might also experience mental
health problems due to how the virus and related opportunistic infections can
affect one’s brain and nervous system. Because the HIV virus resides and
replicates in the body, it can physically alter the neurochemistry of someone
living with HIV/AIDS. Common mental side effects concurrent with living with
HIV include problems in memory, faulty thinking, and behavioral change (AIDSinfo,
2017). As stated above, some of these mental health related side effects can
also be connected with the usage of antiretroviral medication. As these ARVs
can help lengthen the life of a person living with HIV, cognitive changes often
associated with the aging brain, such as dementia, are also increasingly
observed among those of advanced age living with HIV (NIMH, 2016).
Regardless of your diagnosis, stigma can be dispelled and community
can be found in the local church. Participation in a support group can be an
opportunity to engage with other people who can relate to your unique
experience and can offer encouragement in the midst of trying circumstances.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Wholistic care for
people living with HIV/AIDS should include opportunities to maintain good
emotional, social and psychological health as they pursue total mental health.
If you are living with HIV and/or a mental
illness, check out http://saddleback.com/care/supportgroups for information on how you can get connected to a caring support
group or call us at 949-609-8555. We are better together!
Read more:
Mental Health. AIDS.gov, https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/staying-healthy-with-hiv-aids/taking-care-of-yourself/mental-health/
HIV and Mental Health. AIDSinfo, https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/education-materials/fact-sheets/27/92/hiv-and-mental-health
HIV/AIDS and Mental Health. National Institutes of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/hiv-aids/index.shtml