Integrating mental health into HIV and TB programmes

Integrating mental health into the global HIV and TB response would accelerate reductions of HIV infections by 10-17%, and TB cases by 13-20%

The new 5-year strategy from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria—The Global Fund Strategy (2023–2028)—includes mental health for the first time.

This means the 2023-2025 allocation period is a critical moment to ensure Global Fund grants support context specific interventions for mental health. 

United for Global Mental Health has designed a technical toolkit to support partner advocacy for the integration of mental health into HIV and TB programs.

This toolkit is primarily intended for national policy-makers; global, regional, country and programme implementers; organisations working in and providers of health, HIV, TB and mental health; civil society; and community-based and community-led organisations and advocates.

The toolkit has been updated ahead of World AIDS Day, which will be observed this year under the slogan “Equalise,” with the goal of addressing the inequalities that are impeding progress in ending AIDS.

Download our updated HIV, TB and Mental Health toolkit to access:

HIV, TB and Mental Health Toolkit from UnitedGMH

  • An updated fact sheet highlighting the challenge we face and the return on investment as a result of integrating mental health into HIV and TB programs.
  • A compilation of different case studies from across the globe to highlight the impact of integrating mental health into HIV/TB systems.
  • Social media assets to share on your channels and help us amplify key messages from the fact sheet.

Mental health and the new Global Fund 5 year strategy

UnitedGMH first shared this toolkit to be timed with the Seventh Global Fund Replenishment Conference that took place 19th – 21st September 2022 in New York City.

The conference was the first replenishment since the new strategy (Fighting Pandemics and Building a Healthier and More Equitable World) was approved, which significantly includes mental health for the first time.

Globally, depression among individuals with TB could reach as high as 50%. World AIDS Day - Fight for what counts.

 

The September 2022 folder within our Global Fund Replenishment communications toolkit folder includes assets and resources that were created ahead of the Conference.

Inside you’ll find case studies from organisations at community level demonstrating the impact of integrating mental health into HIV and TB programmes, and two reports –  Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN) report on the Global Fund and mental health; and the UnitedGMH research report on the potential impact of integrating mental health into HIV and TB programmes.

Global Fund Replenishment toolkit

 

Mental health, HIV and TB are intrinsically linked – by investing in mental health not only will global HIV and TB targets be reached quicker, but the quality of life and wellbeing of those at risk of or living with HIV and TB will be dramatically improved.

A fully funded Global Fund can have a huge and positive impact on tens, if not hundreds of millions, of people’s physical and mental health, and play a leading role in integrated, person-centred care.

We need donors to understand the impact their finance can have through the Global Fund. 

Please help us promote this message and encourage donors yet to pledge to the seventh Replenishment on #WorldAIDSDay and beyond. Use the toolkit we’ve produced or supporting our social media posts on Twitter or LinkedIn on this topic over the coming days.