AIDS 2024: Our Focus on Integrating Mental Health into HIV and TB programmes

Written by Faith Nassozi , Communications Advisor

AIDS 2024 in Munich, Germany, and virtually will provide a powerful platform to strategically align around a unified and equitable response to the epidemic. 

Mental health is a prominent focus at this year’s AIDS 2024 conference, with United for Global Mental Health, alongside partners, advocating for its integration into HIV and TB programmes. The critical message is clear: there’s no health without mental health. The “Bending the Curve” report highlights that integrating mental health into HIV prevention and services could reduce new infections by up to 16.5%, potentially preventing over 924,000 cases by 2030. This underscores the urgent need to prioritise mental health within the broader health initiatives.

Engaging with us at AIDS 2024 and our priorities 

Donor roundtable

Working together with The Global Fund and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, we are organising a pivotal session titled “Investing in Mind Transforms Lives: A Call for Increased Donor Investment in Mental Health, HIV/AIDS, and TB” at the AIDS 2024 conference. This session is aimed at encouraging and fostering a sense of shared collaboration and commitment amongst all donors investing in mental health as part of the HIV response. 

Location: Room 14c and Channel 10

Date and Time: 23 July 10:00 – 11:30 am CET

Satellite session

This session is aimed at highlighting how HIV programme implementers have been able to find opportunities and resources supportive of mental health integration efforts.  It will also explore the challenges they have faced in designing, operationalising, evaluating, and scaling their work. 

Location: Room 13b/Channel 7

Date and Time: 22 July 13:00 – 14:30

 

Networking zone

This will be a dedicated space for researchers, policymakers, and advocates to connect, share ideas, and forge partnerships to integrate mental health into HIV programming, including the ability to facilitate meaningful interactions and collaborations. 

Location: A2 Zone, Stall number HT03, Trade Fair Center in Munich

Date: 22 – 25 July

Get involved 

  • JOIN our mental health networking zone. Send us an email on hello@unitedgmh.org or Yves@unitedgmh.org for more information. 
  • SHARE our technical tool box with resources supporting integration of mental health into HIV and TB programmes
  • ENROL for the short course on integrating mental health into HIV and TB programmes available at the Global Fund iLearn platform 
  • FOLLOW US on UnitedGMH X and LinkedIn and amplify our messages

Connect with us at AIDS 2024

UnitedGMH has a team of mental health policy and mental health advocates at this year’s AIDS 2024. Please email hello@unitedgmh.org if you would like to arrange to meet with one of our team in Munich.

Yves Miel Zuniga from the Philippines leads our work to integrate mental health into broader health systems such as HIV/TB and NCDs. He will closely monitor the agenda on integration of mental health into primary care, integrated person-centred care, and universal health coverage.

Faith Nassozi from Uganda leads communications on the health systems project as well as our work on stigma and discrimination and will connect with communications professionals, journalists and media institutions to increase visibility of mental health.

Sally Houghton from the UK is our Head of Fundraising and is working with philanthropic donors to increase their mental health investments.

Erin K. Ferenchick  from the USA is a medical anthropologist and family physician with a passion for mental health.  She supports the team on health systems strengthening and the integration of mental health services into primary care.