Episode #48: Illness from Human Immunodeficiency Virus commonly called HIV and AIDS, has largely been overshadowed and forgotten despite the fact that over 1.1 million Americans are living with the disease. While it is now a chronic, manageable condition, there is still stigma, discrimination, and misunderstanding that can have a significant impact on the mental health of those living with it. In this episode, we discuss the mental health issues related to living and aging with HIV. Join our guest host psychotherapist Kaleo Kaluhiwa as he talks with Jim Schultz about testing positive for HIV in the early 1980s, before the disease was well understood, and about his experience learning to live with and manage HIV for over 30 years. We’re also joined by mental health counselor Bryan Golson, LAPC who identifies the unique and complex needs of people living with HIV due to the intersection of discrimination, social dislocation, disability, trauma, substance use disorders, diseases of aging, and managing the side effects of multi-pharmaceutical treatments.
Broadcasts 11/06/22 & 11/14/22
Special thanks to Jeanne Baldzikowski for audio production, Jennifer Young for underwriting outreach, Lisa Herendeen for advance research and Leslie Nielsen for “In Your Voice” Coordination. And thanks to acoustic guitarist Adrian Legg for composing, performing, and donating the use of our theme music.
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RESOURCES
* Indicates Santa Cruz Local
Support Services
*Santa Cruz AIDS Project — provides services to people living with HIV/AIDS to support healthy living with their infection. Services offered include:
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- Case ManagementCase Managers provide emotional support, service plan development, referrals to providers in the community, and oversee or provide the following support services.
- Benefits AdvocacyPeople living with HIV/AIDS may qualify for benefits offered at the county, state and federal level. These benefits may include: Social Security, Medi-Cal, MediCare, AIDS Drug assistance Program (ADAP), State Disability, Cal-Works, General Assistance and more. SCAP Case Managers will assist clients towards receiving, maintaining, or reinstating their benefits.
- Financial AssistanceHOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons living With AIDS) – is financial assistance specifically designated for people living with HIV/AIDS. Clients who are eligible may receive assistance with their rent, mortgage, and/or utilities. MAF (Medical Assistance Fund) is funded through the Ryan White Care Act/ Part B. Clients may request financial assistance to help them pay for uncovered medical costs, vitamins/supplements, and prescription reimbursement.
* Santa Cruz Integrated Care Team — Offers case management, social service resources, HIV medical clinic. Phone: 831-454-4730
San Francisco AIDS Foundation — Working to promote health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV, through sexual health and substance use services, advocacy, and community partnerships. All services are free. Phone: 415-487-3000
Services include:
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- Sexual health care, testing, anal health services, PrEP and other health and wellness services.
- Counseling for gay, bisexual, queer & trans men interested in changing their relationship to drugs & alcohol.
- Safer injection and substance use supplies that prevent the transmission of HIV and improve the health of people who use drugs.
- Provides structured community, counseling, referrals and support for including gay, bi and trans men and other men who have sex with men, and trans women interested in addressing their use of meth or cocaine.
- Black Brothers Esteem supports and empowers African American men living with HIV or those at risk of transmission through community events and social support.
- Links African Americans with HIV to care, groups, medical case management and more.
- A social support network for gay, bisexual, and trans men age 50 and older, inclusive of people who are HIV-negative and living with HIV.
- Group support and events for trans women, trans men, non-binary folks and genderqueer individuals
AIDS Project Los Angeles — Providing LGBTQ+ medical and mental health care, HIV specialty care, sexual health services, support services-benefits, food, housing, HIVE (HIV=Elders) for queer men of all ethnicities 50+ living with HIV designed to improve the health and well being of this growing population. Phone: 213-201-1600
U.S.Department of Health and Human Services Website with: HIV SERVICES LOCATOR – helps users find service providers offering Ryan White HIV care, STI care, Health Centers, PREP, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Care, Housing Assistance, and Family Planning.
Shanti Project — A nonprofit that builds human connections to reduce isolation, enhance health and well-being, and improve quality of life. Their holistic services aim to support the needs of individuals facing systemic inequities and barriers to care. Key services include care navigation, case management, client advocacy, emotional and practical support, health and wellness activities, one-on-one volunteer support, and community-building events and activities.
Positive Impact Health Centers – Provides Client-centered care for the HIV community to have a life worth loving in the state of Georgia. Comprehensive services are available at the Duluth, Decatur and Marietta Centers for those individuals living with HIV. Grant funding enables most services to be provided on a sliding fee basis. Providing Medical Services, Counseling Services, Testing & Preventions Services, Client Services, Subtance Abuse Services, Communit & Patient Resources & Pharmacy Services.
Information
U.S.Department of Health and Human Services Web Site Providing information about Aging with HIV
Resources for HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day Sept 18, 2022
Addressing the Health Care and Social Support Needs of People Aging with HIV – The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) convened a Technical Expert Panel in November 2020 to explore the health care and social support needs of RWHAP’s aging population, with a focus on the barriers to and strategies for providing services. This is a summary of those discussions.
Gilead Pharmaceuticals: “HIV Age Positively” aims to support programs focused on improving the quality of life and health for those who are aging” with HIV.
Alternative Health
*Dakota Health Center — Taking an integrative and preventative approach to health recovery and management. Services include:
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- Chiropractic Health
- Acupuncture treatment
- Prevention & Wellness
- Consultations
- Herbalism
- Dietary Guidance
Life Enrichment
*Cabrillo College — A community college in Aptos, California working to empower students to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, and responsible world citizens. With a commitment to quality and equity, learners are connected to pathways that propel them from where they are to where they aspire to be, including: academic, personal, and career growth
The Last Laugh —A comedy show video with Ric Iverson and Santa Cruz Aid’s Project volunteers that aired on PBS in 1990.
Community Counseling
Family Service Agency (FSA) of the Central Coast is a dedicated underwriter of State of Mind. FSA provides resources, support, and counseling services to adults and children. FSA believes in the power and potential of people of all ages and backgrounds to discover their own creative solutions and welcomes people of diverse cultures, genders, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, socio–economic backgrounds. FSA Counseling Offices offer Medi–Cal, Medicare, and low–cost, sliding scale services in both downtown Santa Cruz 831–423–9444 x200 and in Soquel 831–346–6767 x200.
Contact Guests
*Jim Schultz is available to anyone with questions. Confidentiality respected. Email: jimschultz@calcentral.com
