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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, we have the following 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. Latino Positivo is a support group run in Spanish for HIV+ Latinos. We meet bi-monthly and discuss a wide range of topics including emotional and sexual health, being a refugee and/or immigrant, and the available resources for HIV+ Spanish-speakers in Montreal. Most participants are gay men, but women are also welcome. For more information (in Spanish, English or French), call the ACCM office (514-527-0928) on Tuesdays or send an e-mail to apoyo@accmontreal.org.
For more information about our support groups, contact our case
worker, Ginette at (514) 529-9462. |
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