Preferences of Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Regarding Integration of HIV and Mental Health Care Services

Optimization of mental health service use is critical to HIV care engagement among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM). Clinic-level interventions to integrate HIV and mental health services have been proposed; however, patient perspectives on such care models are often lacking. We conducted a mixed-methods study consisting of surveys (N = 100) and qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 15) with YB-GBMSM recruited from two Ryan White-funded HIV clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. Most participants (70%) agreed that integration of HIV and mental health services was beneficial to them. Thirty-six percent (36%) desired a higher level of integration than what they perceived was currently available in their clinic setting, 51% believed their clinic was already optimally integrated, and 13% preferred less integration. In the qualitative interviews, participants discussed their support for potential integration strategies such as training HIV providers to prescribe antidepressants, closer in-clinic proximity of HIV and mental health providers, and use of patient navigators to help patients access mental health care and remind them of appointments. Perceived benefits of care integration included easier access to mental health services, enhanced overall well-being, and improved HIV care engagement. In summary, YB-GBMSM were supportive of integrating HIV and mental health services, with varying individual preferences regarding the degree and operationalization of this integration. Improving integration of mental health and HIV services, and tailoring modes of service delivery to individual preferences, has the potential to improve both general well-being and HIV care engagement in this high priority population.

Automated summary

YB-GBMSM expressed support for integrating HIV and mental health services but had varying preferences regarding the degree and implementation of integration. Improving integration and tailoring service delivery to individual preferences has the potential to enhance overall well-being and HIV care engagement in this population.