‘Integrating hepatitis C care into mental health services requires leadership, education, and strong cross-sector partnerships between mental health and hepatitis C specialists.’ 

Integrating mental health, harm reduction services and hepatitis care has become increasingly essential. Screening in mental health care settings, both inpatient and community care, is an important part of a comprehensive hepatitis elimination response. 

Speakers shared the work they have done within their settings to increase testing and treatment to reach elimination goals. The discussion highlighted the need for mental health champions who model integrated care as a way to drive cultural and systemic change. Multiple options for testing were discussed including hepatitis C testing in mental health admission blood assessments and integrating point of care testing into in-patient mental health units. 

There are many barriers to scaling up hepatitis testing and treatment but one barrier that was emphasised by the speakers was the lack of education, especially among healthcare professionals. This further highlights the need for educational resources, awareness raising campaign, mentorship and collaboration. 

The session emphasised that partnership and collaboration is key, offering a holistic and patient centred approach. Meeting patients where they are promotes continuity, adherence and reduce stigma, leading to better patient outcomes. 

If you would like to get involved with our work on hepatitis and mental health, please contact us at projects.team@worldhepatitisalliance.org 

‘Mind the gap and bridge it. Mental health professionals have a unique role in hepatitis care.
Let’s act on it, together.’ 

Insight was given into how integration and collaboration can contribute to viral hepatitis elimination goals and improve patient outcomes, transforming how hepatitis C is treated within psychiatric and addiction care services. This highlighted how impactful and achievable integrated care is.  

Further discussion explored how barriers that lead to stigma and lack of continuity could be addressed through initiatives such as co located clinics, one-stop services, telehealth and consultation-based support. 

The multiple roles medical professionals play in hepatitis care was also highlighted. They are often involved in identifying high risk patients, counselling on risk and harm reduction, coordinating referrals, supporting treatment adherence, addressing social barriers and monitoring patients during and after treatment.  

The webinar emphasised that hepatitis elimination cannot be achieved with integrating hepatitis care within mental health and harm reduction settings. Meeting patients where they are leads to better patient outcomes and reduces barriers that hinder vulnerable populations from accessing care.  

The NOhep Medical Visionaries Programme is supported by AbbVie