The role of faith in suicide prevention among people living with HIV: perspectives of religious leaders and mental health workers in Tanzania

Religious leaders are important actors on the pathway to care for many people experiencing mental distress, particularly in low-resource settings. There is a need for collaboration with religious leaders in suicide risk recognition and interventions. From May-June, 2024, we conducted qualitative interviews with 14 religious leaders and eight mental health workers in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania to explore the potential to integrate aspects of faith into IDEAS for Hope, a telehealth-delivered counselling intervention for people living with HIV experiencing suicidal ideation. In these interviews, social and economic challenges and stigma were identified as key drivers of suicide risk. Religious leaders were largely considered to be complementary to mental health professionals by providing referrals, offering spiritual counselling, and supporting HIV treatment engagement. Religious leaders were open to undertaking education and collaborating with health professionals. Results suggest that communities of faith could serve a critical role in addressing barriers to mental health treatment to reduce suicide risk in Tanzania.