HIV treatment
What do you need?
The top four needs of people with HIV in the UK are related to mental health, UK research has shown.
The research involved 1777 HIV-positive adults and was designed to find out what sorts of problems people with HIV in the UK were encountering.
Anxiety and depression, self-esteem, sleep and sex were the areas of life that posed problems to the greatest number of people.
In many cases, anxiety and depression were directly related to HIV and people reported worries about the future, changes in appearance or body shape, and concerns about telling people that they have HIV.
Poor self-image was related to sexual problems, and sleep problems were related to poor mental or physical health or the effects of medication.
Most people who experienced problems believed that they hadn’t received enough support.
If you are looking for support a good place to start is THT Direct. If you live in London, then you can access the HIV Health Support Service (see below for more information).
HIV and sexual health
A new service for Londoners with HIV
Here at NAM we know the important role written information plays in supporting people living with HIV to take decisions about their treatment and care.
Evidence suggests that the more people are involved in decisions about their treatment, the better their health and wellbeing.
Since 1987 NAM has specialised in providing written information, such as these email newsletters, patient information booklets, HIV Treatment Update, and online resources like our websites, aidsmap.com and NAMlife.org.
Sometimes, though, there’s nothing that can beat a face-to-face discussion.
Now, across the capital, there is a new free service providing just that: the HIV Health Support Service.
NAM has teamed up with the Terrence Higgins Trust to offer free one-to-one information and advice sessions about any aspect of HIV treatment and health. A Health Trainer is now available, near you, to offer you face-to-face, telephone or online support to help you improve your health and to live well with HIV.
Perhaps there are questions you have always wanted to ask your healthcare team but didn’t get the chance to? Or treatment and health issues you have never quite understood? Or maybe there have been topics you have read about in HTU you would like to know more about? Or services you would like to use but don’t know how? If so, a Health Trainer can help.
The HIV Health Support Service can be reached via THT Direct. Please call 0845 12 21 200 and ask to see a health trainer. Alternatively, you can use the online service at www.tht.org.uk/askthetrainer.