HEALTH AWARENESS SERVICES

Support Services: HIV Positive

1-800-637-5466 • (508) 756-7123

What Is SIGNS?

SIGNS is a program offered by the Community Education Program of Health Awareness Services for Men who have sex with men and are HIV positive. Education and support is provided to assist in living a healthy lifestyle. This program is offered with the support and funding of the Ma Department of Public Health.

Its broken down in into three components; one on one meetings with staff, group educational sessions and social opportunities.

  1. One on one meetings happen at the agency or in local coffee shops. This informal setting allows participants to ask general questions on living with HIV and the effects that it has on a person’s life.

  2. Educational groups take place at the offices of Health Awareness Services. Topics such as disclosure to medication are covered. This is an opportunity for men to discuss issues in their lives with other HIV positive men in a safe environment.

  3. Social opportunities such as dinners, dances, bowling, movies and outings are provided to assist in developing a social network with others who are living with the virus.

How Do I Join?

Joining is easy. Just call the Community Education Program and they will help you through the process.

You will meet with staff for an intake process. This is to explain the program to you and for you to find out more.

After the initial meeting staff will schedule other meetings that work into your schedule. They will take place weekly or bi weekly. These meeting will be dictated by you on health topics that you want to learn more on.

Ongoing Groups

Once you have met with staff you may be referred to one of the ongoing bi weekly groups. Some people prefer being in a group setting as opposed to a one on one meeting. Some do not. In either case the choice is up to you.

If you choose to join one of the groups, they are facilitates by trained Community Education Program Staff. In each groups topics are discussed on areas of living with HIV like: disclosure, medication adherence, treatment options, STDs, Partner notification, stigma, dating, substance issues and other related topics.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an important issue to the Community Education Program. Your name is not reported or given to any one or any other agency. Part of the reason for the initial meeting is to help screen participants and to assess their comfort in a group setting. Even the name of the program was selected to assist individuals in keeping their confidentiality.

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