How hard is it shop for a few groceries? The majority of us may find this to be a trivial task. But, close to one billion people all over the world may find this an arduous one. Why? Because, unlike most of us, they live with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments.
As a teenager, it is hard enough dealing with the emotional challenges of growing; add to it the stigma of living with HIV. Then there are researchers who aim to improve the mental health of these teenagers without ever involving them in the process! This leads to a disconnect between lived experience and research outcomes. It is a little-recognized barrier to effective mental health interventions for marginalised communities.
