AIDS – PRC

Every year on March 10^th, the U.S. observes National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. HIV prevention and treatment are critical to reducing new HIV cases among women and girls. Women and girls – as well as their partners, friends, and family members who care about them – are encouraged to learn more about how they can take control of their own health to prevent and treat HIV. HIV/AIDS is an equality opportunity virus. Any woman or girl who is sexually active can contract HIV/AIDS regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation. However, statistics show that African American and Latinx women and girls have a higher chance of acquiring HIV than their counterparts. [Facts https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/gender/women/index.html] There is great news! With today’s advancements in HIV/AIDS research and treatment it is possible to prevent HIV infection or passing the virus on to a partner or baby. Some unique challenges women and girls face are related to STDs, which may increase the risk of HIV infection. Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) is addressing the specific needs of women and girls who could be exposed to the virus or living with HIV. Please take a minute to view this important message from Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Follow these links to: Learn more about National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Find a local HIV testing or a healthcare provider, visit locator.HIV.gov. Find out more about PrEP at HIV.gov/PrEP and see if you qualify for the Ready, Set, PrEP at GetYourPrEP.com Together, we can stop HIV.

Each Mind Matters¹(EMM) recently collaborated with a group of LGBTQ+ community leaders and stakeholders to come together and create informational materials on mental health issues faced by Latinx LGBTQ+. The materials focus on three key segments: young adults, older adults, and providers working with Latinx youth.

Latinx LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Provider Fact Sheet²

This fact sheet helps providers working with Latinx LGBTQ+ youth address the complex connections that can have an impact on a young person’s life, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, race/ethnicity, and immigration status. The fact sheet provides relevant resources and best practices within a culturally responsive framework.

EMM also created a fully bilingual in Spanish and English resource online, which covers key terms for providers working with Latinx LGBTQ+ youth, things to consider as mental health professionals serving Latinx LGBTQ+ immigrant youth, and seeking benefits. At this time there are no printed copies available; however, the pamphlet is available free to download³.

EMM website is a resource for mental health and LGBTQ+ topics:

Latinx LGBTQ+ Youth Handbook⁴
Be True and Be You: A Basic Mental Health Guide for LGBTQ+ Youth⁵ Discusses caring for mental health as an LGBTQ+ young adult including topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, coming out, healthy relationships, common mental health challenges, and symptoms.
LGBT Mental Health and Aging Support Guide⁶ Provides information on mental health for older LGBTQ+ adults on topics such as considerations around caregiving, legal affairs, rejection, and discrimination.

Tag: AIDS

Latinx LGBTQ+ Mental Health