Getting Support for HIV
Meeting other people living with HIV who understand what you are going through can be a great way of gaining reassurance and finding answers to your questions. Hearing other’s experiences around an HIV diagnosis and what helped them get through this period can offer great insight to guide you on your path.
Confidential support from a professional can also be invaluable and is provided in different ways. Support can come from either a counsellor or another guy living with HIV (a peer) who is trained in this area. Others might choose to see both a counsellor and a peer. These services are free, and it is up to you to decide what might work best.
Some of these services are offered in Sydney, while ACON also has regional offices that can provide services and support across NSW. Counselling and peer sessions are also available through state-wide confidential video sessions.
a[STARTx]
a[STARTx] One-on-One Peer Support
ACON and Positive Life NSW offer support from peers who are living with HIV. Peers leverage their lived experience of HIV while providing support such as health referrals, resilience-building strategies, linkage to the community and more. Peers support those who may want to talk to someone who understands but may not necessarily want to speak to a counsellor. All of this is entirely confidential.
Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Email: astart@acon.org.au
a[STARTx] weekend workshop
a[STARTx] is also run as a workshop for gay, bisexual and other same-sex attracted men (cis or trans) recently diagnosed with HIV. It is run in partnership by ACON and Positive Life NSW.
a[STARTx] is peer-led and presented, which means it is run by other gay and bi men living with HIV. The aim is to empower you with the confidence and the skills to manage HIV by drawing on your experience and those of others in the workshop. Topics covered across the weekend include HIV treatment, HIV disclosure, building resilience, pleasure and risk, and more.
a[STARTx] provides practical advice, information and a peer perspective on a wide range of issues that may confront you after diagnosis. There’s also time set aside for sharing personal experiences, problems and possible solutions with the support and encouragement of other men who, like you, are living with HIV.
“Attending the a[STARTx] workshop is probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. I had reservations about attending it but would now recommend HIV positive guys to just take the plunge. The weekend was jam-packed with information and made me less lonely walking down this path.”
Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Email: astart@acon.org.au
Newly-Diagnosed Counselling
ACON provides free counselling support and information for people recently diagnosed with HIV and those affected by a diagnosis, such as partners, family or friends. Counselling offers a safe place to discuss the needs and feelings associated with a recent diagnosis and can provide links to other services. Follow-up is provided within one working day and can be offered through face-to-face contact or by phone.
For more information or to book a counselling session, visit ‘HIV Counselling’ on the ACON website here. A counselling staff member will contact you within two business days. In cases with more urgent needs, please call (02) 9206 2000.
ACON’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Program (AOD)
ACON provides support services and health promotion programs to people who use illicit (illegal) and licit (legal) drugs.
Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Web: acon.org.au/alcohol-drugs
Web: pivotpoint.org.au
Substance Support Service
ACON’s Substance Support service provides free, short-term face-to-face or telehealth (video or telephone) counselling of up to 12 sessions with the ability to re-enter as required. Counsellors assist people in better managing their use, cutting down, or quitting.
ACON also provides counselling for partners, friends and family members affected by a loved one’s AOD use.
Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Email: intake@acon.org.au
Other organisations here to support you
The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM)
The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) is a peak organisation of health professionals in Australia and New Zealand who work in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections. ASHM has produced a list of HIV specialists/ S100 prescribers throughout Australia, which you can find on their website.
Tel: (02) 8204 0700
Web: ashm.org.au
Email: ashm@ashm.org.au
Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF)
Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) Financial Counselling is for all people living with HIV, whether you are on a pension or working.
Tel: (02) 9283 8666
Web: www.bgf.org.au
Email: bgf@bgf.org.au
Health Equity Matters (formerly AFAO)
Health Equity Matters is the peak non-government organisation representing Australia’s community-based response to HIV/AIDS. Health Equity Matters’ work includes education, policy, advocacy and international projects.
HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC)
Free legal advice, information and referral for people living in NSW regarding matters relating to HIV, including immigration.
Tel: (02) 9492 6540
Web: halc.org.au
Email: halc@halc.org.au
Multicultural HIV/AIDs And Hepatitis C Service (MHAHS)
The Multicultural HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) works with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in NSW to improve health and wellbeing in relation to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
The service works with more than 20 language groups and implements a range of health promotion, community development, and media initiatives. It also offers individual assistance to people living with HIV through emotional support, liaising with case managers or other healthcare workers, and discussions about treatment options. Services are also available to partners and family members.
Tel: (02) 9515 1234
Freecall: 1800 108 098
Web: mhahs.org.au
Email: info@mhahs.org.au
National Association Of People Living With HIV Australia (NAPWHA)
NAPWHA is the national peak organisation representing people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia. Through leadership in advocacy, policy, education and prevention, NAPWHA strives to minimise the adverse personal and social effects of HIV/AIDS.
Web: napwha.org.au
NSW Sexual Health Infolink
The Sexual Health InfoLink is a NSW Ministry of Health-funded information and referral telephone line and website. It has been in operation since 1989 and is staffed by specialist sexual health nurses from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
The Sexual Health InfoLink provides sexual health information and referral to the public and provides specialist clinical support and information to nurses, doctors and other professionals who are treating clients with sexual health issues.
Freecall: 1800 451 624
Web: shil.nsw.gov.au
Positive Life NSW
Works to promote a positive image of people living with HIV, including their partners, family and friends. Positive Life NSW provides information and targeted referrals and advocates to change systems and practices that discriminate against people living with HIV in NSW. They have treatment officers living with HIV themselves, who can also provide you with assistance.
Positive Life offers a Work Ready program for people living with HIV who want some support to engage or reconnect in life through study, training, paid (casual, part-time or full-time) or voluntary work. Positive Life has a Housing Support Officer to support people living with HIV access and achieve and maintain stable accommodation, including for those at risk of homelessness.
Positive Life also offers a Peer-led partner notification service (also called contact tracing), which provides support from someone else who has been through the process of notifying sexual and injecting partners that they have potentially been put at risk of infection.
Tel: (02) 9206 2177
Web: positivelife.org.au
Sexual Health Centres
Your local Sexual Health Centre (often attached to a public hospital) may also have confidential counsellors available. Search for ‘Sexual Health Clinics’ for your nearest location, or find a test site near you here.
The Institute Of Many (TIM)
The Institute of Many (TIM) is a peer-run group for people living with HIV who meet online and socially.
The Kirby Institute
The Kirby Institute (formerly the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research) is recognised internationally as a research leader in the field of HIV.