Feature Story

The lockdowns and self-isolations imposed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic have affected everyone, key populations and people living with HIV included. Prolonged isolation and limited contact with family and friends have increased anxiety and depression and impacted quality of life, increasing the need for mental health services.

To respond to this need, an online platform that offers psychological services and support for people from key populations has been launched in Kazakhstan. On it, people can get answers to questions related to different aspects of mental health, request professional consultations with psychologists or psychotherapists and receive broader information about health and well-being. 

“Anxiety, uncertainty, worries—these feelings are consequences of the quarantine and self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. For many people, the time spent in quarantine was difficult. Today, we see a greater need for psychological help and support. It was for this purpose that this platform was created for key populations,” said Nikolay Negay, Director-General of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health.

The platform was developed with the participation of people from community organizations, representatives of key populations and activists.

“During isolation, we supported each other as best we could through social networks, communication by phone, Skype, but there was a need for qualified professional help. We are glad that such assistance has become available, and for free. The resource is informative and answers many questions,” said Oksana Ibragimova, the acting President of the ALE Kazakhstan Union of People Living with HIV.

“An anonymous rapid needs assessment conducted by UNAIDS in Kazakhstan among people living with HIV and key populations found that around 60% of respondents needed psychosocial support during the COVID-19 lockdown. It was therefore decided to find a way to provide reliable information, advice and professional assistance to those who may need it,” said Gabriela Ionascu, UNAIDS Strategic Information Adviser for Central Asia.

The platform was created as an initiate of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health, with financial support from UNAIDS and technical assistance from the Kazakh Scientific Institute of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health.