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HIV and hepatitis C

HIV and mental health

A UK study has shown that almost a third of people with HIV have thought of suicide in the past week.

It found that people who were isolated because of their HIV, having told nobody about their infection, and people of black ethnicity were more likely to report suicidal thoughts.

Other factors associated with thoughts of suicide included unemployment, being single and having stopped HIV treatment.

Thoughts of suicide were also associated with not taking HIV treatment properly and poorer physical health. Unsurprisingly, there was also an association with poorer mental health.

But there is a big difference between thinking about suicide and actually committing suicide. Of the 14,000 people with HIV who had died since 1990 approximately 280 (2%) killed themselves.

It is important to know that a range of support is available to people with HIV, including a lot of emotional support and mental health services. If you are not sure what help is available to you, ask your HIV clinic, or talk to someone at THT Direct on 0845 1221 200. Treatments for depression work as well in people with HIV as in HIV-negative people.

International HIV treatment survey