'Start Making Sense': A qualitative exploration of a trauma psychoeducation group for people living with HIV.

People living with HIV experience high rates of mental health issues and are disproportionately impacted by psychological trauma. Exposure to trauma can play a role in acquiring HIV, contribute to negative health outcomes and impact transmission behaviours. Start Making Sense is a Phase 1 trauma psychoeducation group for people living with HIV which aims to connect, educate and empower individuals living with the dual stigma of HIV and trauma. The group is run in collaboration between an NHS trust and a third sector charity, Blue Sky Trust, supporting people living with HIV. This qualitative study explored participants' experiences of the group intervention. Two focus groups were held with nine participants who had completed the group. A thematic analysis of the data identified five main themes: (1) connecting with others living with HIV and trauma; (2) gaining insight and control over trauma symptoms; (3) developing self-compassion; (4) practical challenges and emotional difficulties; and (5) 'Start Making Sense': a catalyst for change and hope. The findings suggest that a trauma psychoeducation group has potential benefits for supporting people living with HIV in reducing social isolation and stigma, understanding trauma symptoms, developing coping strategies and increasing agency and empowerment. Delivering groups in community settings can enable people to stay connected to each other and the setting beyond the timeframe of the intervention and can strengthen co-production models. This study demonstrates the range of potential benefits that trauma psychoeducation groups can have for this population and we suggest that similar interventions are piloted and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]