"We Need Gentleness": Isolation, Loneliness, and Implications for Psychosocial Counseling Among People with HIV who are on Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Experience Common Mental Disorders in Vietnam.

Abstract

The psychological experiences and needs of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who use methadone maintenance treatment and have common mental disorders in Hanoi, Vietnam remain unknown. Due to limited services for common mental disorders, optimal delivery methods for psychotherapy are also unknown. Accordingly, this qualitive study explored both symptoms of common mental disorders among this population and the preferred qualifications and characteristics of a mental health counselor. We interviewed patients, their family members and caretakers, clinic providers, and clinic directors to answer these questions. Feelings of loneliness, isolation, sadness, hopelessness, and a general lack of motivation were common among patient participants. Patient participants had no preference among counselor professional qualifications. Three key qualities‒gentleness, enthusiasm, and understanding ‒ emerged as preferred counselor characteristics. The results from this work will help inform the future tailoring of mental health interventions among a population with unique care needs in Hanoi as well as other populations of people with HIV with common mental disorders.