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1994.10.17 :  Mental Health Needs of HIV/AIDS Victims

Contact:  Craig Packer     (301) 443-2792
October 17, 1994

               SHALALA ANNOUNCES FIRST GRANTS TO MEET MENTAL
               HEALTH NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH HIV/AIDS

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced the first
federal grants ever awarded specifically to develop mental health
services for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families or
partners.

     About $4.1 million in cooperative agreement demonstration
grants has been awarded to 11 community organizations to demonstrate
delivery of high quality mental health services for people affected
by and living with HIV/AIDS, and to one coordinating center to
evaluate the quality and effectiveness of services rendered.

      "A diagnosis of HIV/AIDS can be emotionally devastating," said
Secretary Shalala.  "Many people with HIV/AIDS do not have the
support of family and friends to help them cope with the isolation
or stigma associated with HIV.  These demonstration projects will
help people with HIV/AIDS improve their quality of life and maintain
their dignity."

     The cooperative agreements were awarded through the HIV/AIDS
Mental Health Services Demonstration Program, administered by the
Center for Mental Health Services in the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Public Health
Service, HHS.  Funds were made available through an agreement with
the Health Resources and Services Administration and the National 
Institutes of Health, both of which are components of the Public
Health Service.  The three agencies worked together to develop the
initiative.  They also will participate on the steering committee.

     The program targets groups that have been hardest hit by
HIV/AIDS, including gay and bisexual men, people of color, substance
abusers and homeless persons.

     "There is a significant demand for mental health services for
people affected by and living with HIV/AIDS.  This new program will
enable us to begin to meet the compelling mental health needs of
those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and to help prevent
further transmission of the virus," said Philip R. Lee, M.D.,
assistant secretary for health and director of the U.S. Public
Health Service.

     Dr. Lee said that, as a result of these services, adherence to
medical treatment should increase, the risk of suicide should
decrease and work capacity should improve.  The program also will
provide data on community-based models that work and can be
replicated on a national level.

     SAMHSA Administrator Nelba Chavez, Ph.D., said, "We can and we
must do better in our efforts to meet the needs of people with
HIV/AIDS.  This program builds a new bridge between mental health
services and substance abuse, HIV treatment and community support
services.  This kind of integration is critical in light of the fact
that HIV, substance abuse and mental illness are malevolent
companions."

     Research and clinical data show that HIV may infect the brain,
resulting in central nervous system impairment and neuropsychiatric
complications, including AIDS Dementia Complex.

     CMHS Director Bernard S. Arons, M.D., said, "People with
HIV/AIDS often require support to cope with early death, stigma, 
direct effects on the brain and a variety of other difficult issues. 
Adjustment disorders, depression and mood disorders are other
possible complications."

     The grantee organization and amounts awarded are listed below:

Cooperative Agreement Awards

(Organization, FY 1994 Funding)

Drew Univ. of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, Calif.  $350,000
Presbyterian Hospital, New York, N.Y.                     350,000
Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.                            350,000
Alexandria Community Services Board, Alexandria, Va.      350,000
Elizabeth General Medical Center, Elizabeth, N.J.         250,000
Cook County HIV Primary Care Center, Chicago, Ill.        324,017
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.           270,624
Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pa.    350,000
Puerto Rico Dept. of Public Health, San Juan, P.R.        268,404
Walden House, Inc., San Francisco, Calif.                 339,319
Charles Drew Health Center, Inc., Omaha, Neb.             250,000

                                        SUBTOTAL       $3,452,364

Coordinating Center

Research Triangle Institute, Raleigh, N.C.               $699,555

                                        TOTAL          $4,151,919

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