Home

Becoming a Client

Drop In Resource Center

Case Management

Support Groups

Buddy Program

Therapet

Treatment Buddy Program

Buyers' Club

Make a Donation

Since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, individuals battling the illness have come together to share support, information, and resources. Individuals facing the isolation that came from living with a stigmatized illness found that together, they could create positive changes on personal and community levels.

Support groups have changed dramatically since these early days. High mortality rates among people living HIV meant that an entire group’s membership could decease within a year or two. Grief, bereavement and loss were dominant themes for both PHAs and partners, families and friends who participated in groups. Changes in HIV medication since 1996 have been accompanied by decreased mortality and morbidity rates, as well as radical changes in the lives of people living with HIV. PHAs are employed, in school, creating and maintaining fulfilling relationships, and leading active lives. Participation in support groups has decreased dramatically: many AIDS services organizations in Montreal no longer host support groups, due to lack of demand and attendance. In 1995, ACCM hosted 14 groups, today, there are two ongoing groups:

Positively Living is a group geared for HIV+ gay men, many of whom are long-term survivors. The group addresses a wide range of concerns, from medication and nutrition to sexuality and emotional health. In addition to their monthly meeting, the group also meets regularly for social occasions.

The Spirituality Group was created to provide an environment to discuss spiritual concerns of people living with HIV/AIDS. The group is spiritual, not religious in nature, meaning that it does not focus on the traditions or belief of any particular religion, but instead draws on a variety of belief systems to guide discussions on life, mortality, illness, afterlife, relationships with others. The group is open to any member of ACCM who has an interest in spirituality and spiritual issues.

There will be new support groups starting in Fall 2005 (french and english). Interested individuals need to contact our case worker, Ginette in the Fall at 529-9462 to register.

In order to reflect the changing needs and interests of its clients, ACCM has replaced the traditional support group model with more short-term, information-based workshops and meetings. For more information on these sessions, which cover topics such as nutrition, medication updates, employment, and sexuality, please consult the Drop In page.