# Enhancing integration of HIV and mental health services for young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

> **NIH NIH R34** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $234,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) are disproportionately
impacted by HIV, with suboptimal rates of engagement across the HIV Continuum of Care (HIV-CoC). Mental
health (MH) comorbidities contribute to poor HIV care engagement for many YB-GBMSM; however, effective
treatment for these conditions is hindered by barriers including logistical challenges, medical mistrust, and MH
stigma. The Ryan White Care act supports integration of HIV and MH services; however, our preliminary
studies demonstrate low rates of MH referrals and MH care engagement among YB-GBMSM living with HIV,
even in these ostensibly integrated care settings. To our knowledge, there are no published interventions
designed specifically to improve MH care engagement among YB-GBMSM living with HIV. The objective of this
R34 application is to develop and implement CHIMES (Cross-disciplinary HIV Integrated with Mental Health
Support), a clinic- and provider-level intervention to improve HIV-MH care integration and MH care
engagement among YB-GBMSM attending Ryan White clinics. The rationale for the project is that efforts to
improve integration of services, particularly if they are culturally tailored, are likely to increase MH and HIV care
engagement for YB-GBMSM. The proposed study will pursue two specific aims: (1) to develop the CHIMES
intervention; and (2) to conduct a hybrid type 2 implementation-effectiveness pilot trial of CHIMES in two
HRSA/Ryan White-funded clinics in Atlanta, Georgia – a city in the heart of the Southern HIV epidemic. For the
first aim, we will work collaboratively with provider and patient stakeholders, adapt existing evidence-based
interventions, and build on formative data to refine intervention content, informed by the Capability-
Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) Model. For the second aim, we will implement CHIMES in the two
clinic settings and conduct a mixed-methods assessment in which continuous data collection informed by the
RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework will be used to evaluate
effectiveness and implementation processes. Upon completion of these aims, we will have collected rich data
to inform a subsequent, larger scale implementation trial of CHIMES. We introduce significant innovations
including the characterization of an integrated HIV-MH care continuum and prioritization of cultural and
developmental factors (both barriers and facilitators) specific to YB-GBMSM within established implementation
science frameworks. The proposed research is significant because of its potential to inform effective strategies
for improving HIV viral suppression and quality of life among YB-GBMSM, leading to improved individual and
public health outcomes in line with the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400075
- **Project number:** 5R34MH124638-03
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sophia A. Hussen
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $234,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-22 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400075

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400075, Enhancing integration of HIV and mental health services for young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (5R34MH124638-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400075. Licensed CC0.

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