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The Importance of Your Support Network

If there is one thing in interviewing people for our Positive Profiles over 16-years that all have had in common, no matter their background, race or gender, it's when they've tried to go it alone, HIV had it's best chance ever at having the upper hand.

They usually tried to handle it alone at first. Some people's "at first" is much longer than others and some have needed a negative life-altering experience in order to push them to seek help. But all agree that once they reached out, the help and support they received was life changing.

So what should you look for in a support group or person?

Positivity
If you're going through some tough times that are making you feel very negative about the world around you, misery does love company but commiserating with those negative people might not be what you need at all. Choose a person or group that emits a positive attitude and energy.

Loyalty
Looking to long time friends or family members that know and love you is very often a great place to start. You're not looking for blind loyalty here - where everything you say, right or wrong is accepted - rather someone that will lend an intelligent ear without judging.

Discretion
There is still stigma that exists with HIV. Make sure the person or people you look to for help and support will be discrete with whatever information they have and that you won't be putting yourself at risk. People where you work may not be the best people to look to for support. Even though it is illegal to lose your job due to your HIV status, it does happen.

Action and Responsibility
Make sure the people you choose are willing to take an active role in helping you and being there for you when you need them rather than a passive role. You may really need to talk to someone at 2 a.m. and leaving a message won't help.

Here are some places you can start to look for your personal support group and network:

HIV Specialist and Medical Staff
It's important to have a good relationship and rapport with your doctor and his office staff. Aside from your HIV specialist, you and your doctor may decide that other medical professionals should be involved. These professionals might include a psychologist, therapist, dietician and physical therapists or other therapists like for massage and acupuncture. All of these people should be in tune with you and people who are HIV positive.

AIDS Service Organizations, Community Organizations and Faith Based Organizations
There is a tremendous amount of free knowledge and help of all kinds available to you if you choose to take advantage of it.

The first place that you should go to is an AIDS Service Organization in you area. ASOs, usually depending on the size of the area served, can offer you services like case managers, social workers and benefits counselors who can navigate the red tape associated with getting any benefits you might be eligible for and also help you locate transportation and housing if you need that. Many ASOs also have food pantries. The professionals and volunteers at ASOs can recommend doctors and other health care providers who deal with HIV patients and are nearby. There are also support groups of different kinds that meet regularly.

Community Based Organizations are similar to ASOs and offer many of the same services. CBOs might be more comfortable for some because being “community based,” they many times serve a particular community such as African American or Latino, for instance, that is more familiar for them.

Faith Based Organizations have really come a long way in most areas. While some churches still are closed-minded to HIV there are many, even in smaller metropolitan areas, that have gotten over the stigma. Most spiritual groups and churches that are HIV-friendly offer an HIV support group and individual counseling. Your ASO should be able to refer you to a Faith Based Organization near you.

Family and Friends
Friends and family can help you in areas were others in your support network can’t. They can go to doctor’s appointments with you and be your sounding board because they know all about you.

Make sure that you are ready to tell them that you are HIV positive and also be as sure as you can be that they are ready to hear it. If it’s not the right time to let those close to you know, try to start with a peer or support group. You’ll find people in the same boat as you and will probably find new friends and relationships there.

Remember that there is help and support when you need it from the sources mentioned above and always immediate help if you have a crisis from regional, state and national HIV Hotlines. To find a listing of those hotlines go to our website at www.hivpositivemagazine.com/hotlines.html and pick up the phone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Copyright 2018, Positive Health Publications, Inc.

This magazine is intended to enhance your relationship with your doctor - not replace it! Medical treatments and products should always be discussed with a licensed physician who has experience treating HIV and AIDS!