HIV-Positive Illinois Residents Encouraged to Learn About HIV and Mental Health, Then Take Quiz
Illinois HIV Care Connect publishes new, educational website
content reinforcing the importance of good mental health among people
living with HIV
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–To reinforce the importance of good mental health among people living
with HIV, Illinois HIV Care Connect has published new website content
about HIV and mental health at www.hivcareconnect.com/hiv-and-mental-health.
HIV-positive Illinois residents are encouraged to review this content
before taking the HIV
and Mental Health Quiz, which can be found at ow.ly/Uc5KG.
The new website content covers why mental health is important, the
causes of mental health problems, whom people living with HIV should see
for mental health advice and treatment, and insurance coverage for
mental health services.
Mental health conditions affect about one in five Americans. Data from
the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) show that HIV-positive
individuals with mental health conditions have a more difficult time
achieving medication adherence and viral
suppression – a low level of HIV in the blood associated with
optimal health for people living with HIV.
The new website content and quiz is being promoted on Illinois HIV Care
Connect’s website – www.hivcareconnect.com
– and on its social media platforms: Twitter (twitter.com/ILCareConnect),
Facebook (facebook.com/ILCareConnect)
and Google+.
Illinois HIV Care Connect is a statewide network providing medical case
management, health care and support services to people living with HIV. Seven
lead agencies coordinate the services provided to eight Illinois regions
through the program, which is funded by IDPH and federal grants and
supported by the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA). About 36,000
Illinois residents are estimated to be HIV-positive. Illinois HIV Care
Connect lead agency offices located in Rockford, Peoria, Springfield,
Belleville, Murphysboro, Champaign and Chicago serve people living with
HIV in all of Illinois’ 102 counties.
“We look forward to working with Illinois mental health organizations,
professionals and advocates to raise awareness of the importance of good
mental health among people living with HIV,” said Tom Hughes, executive
director of the Illinois Public Health Association. “Evidence shows that
good mental health within the HIV-positive population will lead to
better overall health outcomes and longer lifespans.”
Contacts
For Illinois HIV Care Connect
Ray Valek, 708-352-8695
ray@valekco.com
