How do we support young people living with HIV?
National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is on April 10. Below are some resources to understand how to support young people living with HIV and to improve education and acceptance amongst all young people.
Research: ATN: Focus on Youth in HIV Prevention and Treatment - https://h-i-v.net/research-studies/adolescent-medicine-trials-network
"The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN) is an exciting project to address the HIV epidemic by getting PrEP and ART to young people. The ATN is a team investigating ways to effectively increase awareness, prevention, testing and treatment of HIV in youth. But this isn’t just a bunch of scientists in white lab coats - the team includes a diverse 12-member youth advisory board that provides direction for the ATN projects and priorities. The project focuses on learning how to support those at high risk: gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, and young people who are homeless, incarcerated, or from communities of color."
Awareness: The Impact of COVID-19 on Black LGBTQ Youth by @shaina mitchell https://h-i-v.net/?p=1085
"Young people are stating that they are not able to express themselves freely or do not feel safe and secure.1 In moments where they’d typically spend most of their time outside of the home, the youth are finding it difficult to contact their support systems. One in three Black LGBTQ youth stated that the COVID-19 pandemic made their living situation 'much more stressful' than before."
Report from a Conference: Youth Power Up for A Stigma-Free Future by @khafre - https://h-i-v.net/?p=633
"Youth Power Up for A Stigma-Free Future was the theme for the 10th Anniversary of the International Conference on Stigma. We understand the rates of new HIV infections continue to disproportionally impact youth. The sole objective of the International Conference on Stigma is to build collective power for individuals, organizations, providers, and communities in addressing and combatting health-related stigma."
What do you think? Do you have personal experience that could help someone else? Do you have questions about this topic? Comment below
Alafia (Peace) I think in addition to the resources we have to do a great deal more listening to them. We need to understand young people who are living with HIV are dealing with a very adult issue and should not exactly be treated as adults but bring them into the loop of the circle of family of adults who are living with HIV. Khafre (H-I-V.net Team Member)
Listen to them, see them and believe them. Do not tell them how they should feel or brush them off because of their age or lack of it. Be their ally .
Hi
. That is a fantastic, succinct statement of support. Several of our patient leaders commented for this article on being an ally for the HIV/AIDs community and the common theme is to listen: https://h-i-v.net/answers/allyship. Wishing you the best. Richard (Team Member) Alafia (Peace) Thank you for reaching out to share your thoughts on our youth. We appreciate you and we would love to hear more from you. Khafre (H-I-V.net Team Member)
