HIV and Mental Health

CE / CME

Re:Mind—Making Mental Health Care an Integral Part of HIV Care

Nurses: 0.75 Nursing contact hour

Pharmacists: 0.75 contact hour (0.075 CEUs)

Physicians: maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

Released: July 23, 2024

Expiration: July 22, 2025

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Mental Health Conditions Increase the Need for PrEP1

Because mental health conditions increase the risk of HIV acquisition, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is especially important in people with mental health conditions. And since PrEP is terribly underprescribed, the question is, how do we educate HCPs to prescribe a medication that is associated with very few adverse events with a lifesaving consequence?

To me, one important contradiction is that psychiatric HCPs are comfortable prescribing high-risk medications (eg, lithium), but are uncomfortable prescribing PrEP.

We should encourage all HCPs—those in primary care, psychiatry, substance abuse treatment, etc—to prescribe PrEP to people who are indicated.

Addressing the Gap in PrEP Provider Training12

It is important that we address the gaps in PrEP prescribing by addressing gaps in PrEP provider training.

PrEP provider training can be anchored in family planning training and should include training on insurance navigation and addressing people’s attitudes and concerns about PrEP. As shown in this study, that is how HCPs can become more confident in addressing PrEP.