When the Tide is not Turning: Exploring the Mental Health of a Select Group of Filipino Youth Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (YLHIV)

Abstract

Literature from worldwide revealed that poor mental health is evident among youths living with HIV (YLHIV). However, literature exploring their mental health in the Philippines is limited despite the alarming increase of HIV cases among young people. Hence, this descriptive phenomenological study purported to characterize the mental health of a select group of Filipino YLHIV. In-depth interviews with ten fully consented male participants aged 18-30 were conducted. Field texts were subjected to Collaizi's (1978) seven-step data analysis method. Interestingly, the Mental Health Tower of Youth Living with HIV emerged after thoroughly analyzing the data. This model typifies the mental health of YLHIV, which operates in an environment where both internal and external pressures make them experience (a) disruptive thoughts, (b) depressive mood, and (c) deteriorative behavior. The study has vividly described the instability of the YLHIV's mental health. Therefore, it is vital to develop a mental health program specifically designed for youth living with HIV.