The University of Washington received a $699,750 Project Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) under the Mental Health Research Grants program (CFDA 93.242), awarded May 7, 2026, with completion targeted for May 6, 2029. This award funds the adaptation and implementation of the "Do More, Feel Better" (DMFB) intervention, an evidence-based behavioral activation program designed to address depression and improve mental health outcomes among older people living with HIV (PWH). The primary deliverables include research findings on multi-level barriers and facilitators to intervention participation and delivery, an adapted DMFB intervention protocol optimized for peer-led delivery within the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and implementation guidance for case management organizations serving low-income older PWH with limited access to professional mental health services.
The project addresses a critical health disparity, as individuals over age 50 living with HIV face a 2.3-fold increased risk of depression compared to those without HIV, contributing to social isolation, reduced healthcare engagement, and diminished quality of life. By translating an existing lay-delivered intervention from community senior centers into the HIV care system, this research aims to expand access to evidence-based mental health services and improve care outcomes for a growing population of older adults with HIV. The intervention's tailored approach to individual preferences and community-informed adaptation process is designed to enhance acceptability and feasibility within existing service delivery infrastructure.