The Whole Health Group Series: A Case Series of an Occupation-Based Intervention for Adults with HIV

Anxiety and depression are prevalent among people living with HIV, particularly in underserved communities facing structural barriers to care. This case series examines outcomes of the Whole Health Group Series, a six-week, occupation-based group intervention implemented in a community health organization. Three adults living with HIV participated in weekly sessions focused on personally meaningful daily activities, stress management, and coping strategies. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Participants demonstrated reduced depression, anxiety, and stress severity categories on the DASS-21, along with clinically significant improvements (≥2-point increases) in COPM performance and satisfaction scores. Qualitative observations suggested enhanced comfort with peer interaction and engagement in group-based activities. As preliminary evidence, these findings highlight the potential value of occupation-based interventions for supporting emotional well-being and participation in daily activities among people living with HIV in community settings.