The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected mental health. Prior to the pandemic, marginalised communities already experienced a disproportionate risk of mental health conditions, along with consistently poorer mental health outcomes. It is commonly acknowledged that mental health should become an essential part of any pandemic response, particularly for marginalised communities in general and people who use drugs. However, that is yet not the case.

We talked to Jakub Gren of the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, Ben Collins and Nia Dunbar of ReShape/International HIV Partnerships, and Eliza Kurcevic of Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA). Following the session, NPS and Mental Health: humbug or an alarming situation? at the 5th European Harm Reduction Conference 2021 in Prague, our guests discussed the vulnerable communities’ main barriers in accessing mental health care and support. In addition, they told us what works and what does not.

What do you think?

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