Lent C; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. WePeF6876.
Banco de Horas- IDAC, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ISSUE: Since 1993, an NGO based network of 200 volunteer mental health professionals offers free-of-charge long term psychotherapy for PLWHA and relatives, at the therapists' private offices. The Project also develops strategies to give visibility to emotional factors that supervene profoundly patients and their quality of life. Due to the high demand, the organization convened the 1st. Brazilian Symposium on Mental Health and Subjectivity, in order to promote a broad and consistent involvement of the wide community of mental health professionals, considering their specific potential to address vulnerability issues of people affected and/or infected by HIV in Brazil. DESCRIPTION: The 3 days Symposium, held at a main cultural center, gathered professionals from 4 main fields: (1) the academy; (2) mental health public services; (3) professionals in private practices; (4) NGOs dealing with HIV/AIDS. Round table session, lectures, and breakout discussion groups addressed critical issues related to the 4 mentioned fields. Intensive press and TV coverage broadened the meeting's reach. Cultural events (music, poetry and dance) were also held, promoting the involvement of the artistic and entertainment sectors, helping to publicize the event. A 200 pages book on the symposium is being edited. LESSONS LEARNED: Almost 300 professionals attended the event, showing the adequacy and the need of gatherings around these issues. The interest shown both by the professional community and financial partners confirms the relevance of the initiative. RECOMMENDATIONS: In order to provide a substantial emotional support, it is crucial to give attention to the needs of the wide community of professional caregivers. This is essential to involve them in the discussion of public and private policies, leading to specific research and planned actions in the field.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Brazil
- Congresses
- Counseling
- Disease Outbreaks
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Personnel
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- Humans
- Mental Health
- Organizations
- Research
- education
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102257166
From Meeting Abstracts