Social Workers Provide Support to Those Affected by HIV and AIDS

December 1, 2001 is World AIDS Day

WASHINGTON—Twenty years into the HIV/AIDS epidemic—although there is less stigma associated with the disease, and services work to become increasingly more accessible—many still encounter rejection and isolation resulting from the public’s response to the disease. Social workers provide support and treatment to those affected by HIV/AIDS, including individuals, families, and groups.

Social workers across the fieLDF of practice have the opportunity to educate themselves, clients, and colleagues about available prevention and early intervention strategies for HIV. In recognition of World AIDS Day, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) announces receipt of its third contract from the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This grant, for $450,000, allows NASW to continue to provide training, education, and technical assistance to social workers on the mental health issues of living with HIV/AIDS.

Evelyn Tomaszewski, ACSW, Project Director of the HIV/AIDS Spectrum Project, says, "Through this project, we are able to reach out to social workers, especially in rural communities where access to HIV/AIDS training resources are less accessible, to enhance the role of social work in addressing the health and mental health needs of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS."

The goal of the HIV/AIDS Spectrum Project is to provide the necessary HIV and mental health practice skills for people working in social work, mental health, and substance abuse fieLDF to enhance and promote culturally competent practice with individuals, families, and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

According to Tomaszewski, whatever our field of practice, every client or consumer should receive a risk assessment for HIV. Therefore, social workers in a variety of fieLDF should have training in order to help those at risk for, or affected by, HIV/AIDS, including knowledge of harm reduction strategies.

For more information about HIV/AIDS and the Spectrum Project: click here, or write NASW HIV/AIDS Spectrum: Mental Health Training and Education of Social Workers Project, 750 First Street, NE, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002-4241. (Contract # - CMHS 280-01-8055)