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In January 2019, there was an increase in diagnoses of HIV among PWID in Cabell County, West Virginia, where the city of Huntington is located. Huntington had historically high rates of substance use disorder, but relatively low rates of HIV infection, until recently. Knowledge about HIV, the outbreak, and treatment for SUD was low, as well as initiation of treatment for HIV or SUD among PWID. As of January 2020, 82 people met the case definition of HIV positive. The result of the positive tests was 450 new clients enrolling in the harm reduction program, including 50 people with HIV infection.
Two epidemics, COVID-19 and opioid addiction, are co-occurring and create a deadly combination, as those who suffer from the disease of addiction are more vulnerable to acquiring COVID-19 or having severe disease from coronavirus. Some factors that contribute to this vulnerability are they are more likely to be homeless, poor, smokers (contributing to lung or cardiovascular diseases), under- or uninsured, or experiencing serious health and socioeconomic issues from drug addiction.
Services and treatments for addiction have been disrupted or stopped. Social isolation increases both the risk for addiction and possibly the risk of overdose death. The stress from the pandemic can be a trigger for drug use. The result of this health crisis should be to provide resources in the form of online meetings, medications, medical care, food and housing.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) launched a new website, BeWellIndiana.org, that connects Hoosiers with free mental health resources that have been vetted by experts. The site is designed to address the increase in anxiety, depression and other mental health issues caused by the pandemic, including both first-time issues as well as pre-existing mental health concerns. Initially, BeWellIndiana.org will focus on the various mental health challenges due to COVID-19, but the site will be updated regularly and will continue to evolve as a resource beyond the current crisis.
Hoosiers can visit BeWellIndiana.org to find trusted resources curated by FSSA’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction, including information ranging from coping mechanisms, crisis counseling, how to self-monitor for signs of stress, domestic violence resources, substance use disorder and recovery, and tips for helping children, youth and teens. For Hoosiers experiencing an increase in anxiety, mood swings, loss of sleep, change in sleep, uncertainty and more, BeWellIndiana.org also provides a link to simple self-assessments offered by Mental Health America to help users determine if they could benefit from seeking mental health support.
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