The 13th AFRAVIH conference, a major international summit dedicated to the fight against HIV, is currently taking place in Lausanne, Switzerland. This year, participants are placing a significant emphasis on the psychological challenges and mental health issues faced by those living with the virus.

The critical link between HIV and mental health

The urgency of psychological support is underscored by alarming data. A 2022 study by Philip Kreniske, a psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, found that individuals living with HIV are 74% more likely to have attempted suicide than those without the virus.

Key speaker at the event:

• Christine Kafando: A pioneering Burkinabé activist, she was the first woman in Burkina Faso to courageously go public with her HIV status. During the AFRAVIH congress, she is presenting her work on the mental health management of HIV-positive adolescents within her association based in Burkina Faso.