EpiC is an eight-year global initiative that provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control and strengthen global health security.
Re-post from The JIAS Blog: http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/announcement/view/220 Launched at the 21st International AIDS conference, the Journal of the International AIDS Society is pleased to announce the publication of the special issue entitled ‘HIV epidemics among transgender populations: the importance of a... Continue Reading
Written by Robyn Dayton, Gender Advisor, LINKAGES Programming for key populations is unique. It is uniquely challenging — in the face of the stigma, discrimination, violence and criminalization that many members of key populations face. And it is uniquely worthwhile... Continue Reading
Part 1 written by Rolande Lewis, Program Officer, LINKAGES Part 2 written by Irwin Iradukunda, Director of Programmes for Mouvement pour les Libertés Indivduelles (MOLI) and key population activist in Burundi Part 1 On Tuesday, May 17, The International Day... Continue Reading
Written by Mario Schauer, founder of Rompiendo el Tabú I was born in Honduras, a country identified as predominantly conservative and traditionalist. A country where people have to learn about human sexuality along the way and not in textbooks. A country where... Continue Reading
Escrito por Mario Schauer, fundador de Rompiendo el Tabú Nací en Honduras, un país predominantemente conservador y tradicionalista, donde la educación sobre la sexualidad humana es algo que se debe aprender en el camino y no en textos. Donde haber contraído... Continue Reading
Below is a reposting of a press release from the The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF). On April 18th, the United Nations Mission co-facilitators, Zambia and Switzerland released the “Zero Draft” of the political declaration for the United... Continue Reading
Written by Alexus D'Marco, Founder of the DMARCO Foundation “To deny people their human rights is to deny them their humanity” - Nelson Mandela This quote has been a call to action for me. Over the past years of my life I... Continue Reading
Written by Meghan DiCarlo, LINKAGES Technical Advisor III, Program Acceleration “…the role of expert was continually challenged. The sex workers were given space to identify their own needs and then to play the lead role in developing the program for their... Continue Reading
Below is a reposting of the press release from the The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) on the recent transition in secretariat for the David Kato Vision and Voice Award. The David Kato Vision and Voice Award (DKVVA) Steering Committee... Continue Reading
Written by Mary Mwangi, Sex Worker My name is Mary Mwangi, and I am an experienced and proud sex worker operating in the capital city of Nairobi. I was introduced to sex work by a friend at a very tender age.... Continue Reading
This blog is managed by the EpiC project and dedicated to sharing stories, events, and resources from HIV epidemic control efforts around the world.
Assessment
A questionnaire or “screener” meant to be used with individual patients in a clinical setting to screen for, help diagnose, or monitor progress for individual mental health conditions.
Intervention
Larger packages or broader-reaching resources that describe actions or activities to be implemented. These may be appropriate for individuals, groups, and/or programs.
Anxiety
Feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness that may occur as a reaction to stress. Anxiety can be a symptom or a feeling; it can also be a clinical diagnosis of a mental health condition.
Burnout
A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress, typically related to one’s work, that is not managed well. Burnout is considered an occupational phenomenon.
Clinical diagnoses
Mental or neuropsychiatric disorders, or disruptive, unusual, or maladaptive behaviors that have been evaluated and diagnosed by a trained medical professional.
Depression
A mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
Disability
A physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.
Insomnia
A sleep disorder, or disordered sleep pattern, characterized by trouble falling and/or staying asleep.
Overall well-being
The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy; judging one’s own life positively; generally, “feeling good.”
Post-traumatic stress (PTS)
A normal adaptive response to traumatic or stressful life events that can result in a wide range of distressing symptoms. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) differs from PTS and is a clinical diagnosis.
Self-efficacy
An individual’s belief in their capacity to act in the ways necessary to reach specific goals.
Self-harm/suicidality
Deliberate injury to oneself as an emotional coping mechanism, ranging from cutting oneself to suicide. Expressions of self-harm and/or suicidality are usually considered an emergency and should be assessed and managed by a trained professional.
Social support
The perception that one is cared for, has assistance available if needed, and that one is part of a supportive social network.
Stress
Any type of change to one’s internal or external environment that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. “Managing stress” is an effort to return from this state of strain or disturbance to homeostasis or well-being.
Substance abuse
Use of a substance (usually drugs or alcohol) in amounts or by methods that are harmful to oneself or others. Substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction are distinct clinical diagnoses.
Trauma
Lasting biopsychosocial and/or emotional response that often results from experiencing a terrible event such as an accident, crime, military combat, or natural disaster, or a series of chronic traumatic events like persistent abuse or neglect.
Program beneficiary
Individual who receives program services; an entire group or population may be the recipient of services.
Service provider
Individual who directly provides services to another individual, group, or population (the “program beneficiary”) through a program.