Why Is Health Literacy Important To PLHIV?

When there is a gap between what you know and what you need to know, it can lead to:

Health literacy is the foundation of success for every doctor-patient interaction, every prescription, every diagnosis and every treatment.

It is important that, as patients, you are able to understand what is going on with your treatment, what your diagnosis means, and what you are putting into your body, so that you can preserve your well-being and take care of yourself.

• Worsening health conditions

• Poor self care

• More doctor or hospital visits and stays

• Higher medical costs

What Is Psychosocial Support?

Psychosocial support refers to services which include, but are not limited to, counselling, adherence support, assistance with attending clinic appointments and other social welfare services.

Why Is This Important To PLHIV?

These types of support help people living with HIV to adhere to treatment, engage in healthy behaviours, preserve and create healthy relationships and regularly attend treatment sites.

How Can I Access This Type Of Support?

You can begin by engaging with your Dream Team at the Treatment site. The social worker there can be very helpful in supporting you through different forms of psychosocial distress. If you wish, you can also access private care. Some NGOs also have social workers who provide support as well.

If you are struggling with inner pain or distress, as well as unhealthy coping behaviours such as substance abuse and dependence, please feel free to reach out.

If you think you may be depressed, and are having thoughts of self-harm, or suicide, please call Lifeline. Their contact numbers are 800-5588 | 866-5433 | 220-3636

You can learn more about their 24/7 services on their website: https://findcarett.com/lifeline

Anxiety

• Feelings of exhaustion

• Becoming easily tired

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling restless and on-edge

• Feelings of irritability

• Having unexplained aches in the body

• Excessive worrying and a difficulty to stop anxious thoughts.

• Difficulty sleeping

As you may see above, there are some similarities between anxiety and depression. The more important difference is that depression is usually accompanied by sadness and a loss of interest in engaging with others, while anxiety is not.

It is often common for people to try to numb these feelings via the following behaviours:

• Overeating

• Watching lots of television

• Substance abuse and dependency

• Sex

If you would like to develop healthy coping mechanisms, please feel free to open up to the social worker who is assigned to your Treatment site. You can also try some of the R.E.C.E.S.S strategies.

If you think you may be depressed, and are having thoughts of self-harm, or suicide, please call Lifeline. Their contact numbers are 800-5588 | 866-5433 | 220-3636

You can learn more about their 24/7 services on their website: https://findcarett.com/lifeline

Additionally, to receive additional referrals to address any other mental health concerns or to speak with someone on the National HIV Helpline, please call 800-4HIV or 800-4448. (This is a toll-free number)

You are not alone. #youarenotalonett

Other Mental Health Challenges

As you may have seen previously, there are some similarities between anxiety and depression. The more important difference is that depression is usually accompanied by sadness and a loss of interest in engaging with others, while anxiety is not.

It is often common for people to try to numb these feelings via the following behaviours:

• Overeating

• Watching lots of television

• Substance abuse and dependency

• Sex

If you would like to develop healthy coping mechanisms, please feel free to open up to the social worker who is assigned to your Treatment site. You can also try some of the R.E.C.E.S.S strategies.

If you think you may be depressed, and are having thoughts of self-harm, or suicide, please call Lifeline. Their contact numbers are 800-5588 | 866-5433 | 220-3636

You can learn more about their 24/7 services on their website: https://findcarett.com/lifeline

Additionally, to receive additional referrals to address any other mental health concerns or to speak with someone on the National HIV Helpline, please call 800-4HIV or 800-4448. (This is a toll-free number)

You are not alone. #youarenotalonett

E - Eating Well

Do you eat well? If you eat well, then you will feel well in your physical body and mind. A nutritious diet can improve your mental wellbeing, and less nutritious food such as sweets, fast foods and processed foods can actually harm your mental wellbeing.

To improve your mental health, it is best to eat lots of vegetables and fruits. These foods are “brain protective.” Additionally, lean proteins such as chicken, nuts, eggs, fish, seeds and soybeans help your brain to think and respond efficiently to stimuli.

Use alcohol and drugs in moderation.

C - Connecting With Loved Ones And Supportive People

In our discussion about your Dream Team, we discussed the role of building a support network. You need to ensure that the persons you surround yourself with can provide you with compassion and are not judgmental. When we have supportive and loving relationships, our brains are healthier. This is because chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are released in the brain when we experience healthy bonds. Interacting with other people in meaningful ways can also reduce the impact of stress on the brain. Building relationships can be a challenge so let’s think of the two types of connections that you need. They are:

• Intimate connections: These are connections with people who care for you and love you. They may include friends and family.

• Relational connections: These are connections with people that you see often. You may share an interest with these people and they may work with you.

E - Exercising Regularly

Did you know that when you exercise, you experience a surge of dopamine and serotonin? These are two chemicals that are produced in your brain and they can improve your mood and energy levels. Persons who exercise generally are less likely to experience depression or anxiety. Exercise can also help to discharge stress in the body.

S - Sleeping

As you would recall in our section on physical health, sleep is very important. You require a minimum of seven hours of sleep. During sleep,your brain processes emotional information, and inadequate sleep is harmful to the processing of positive emotional content in your brain. As a result, your mood can be severely affected. Persons who do not receive adequate sleep are at risk for experiencing depression and anxiety.

S - Self-compassion

Self-compassion means taking care of yourself and soothing yourself when you believe that you are hurt, stressed or sad. Self-compassion looks different to different people. For some people, it involves saying comforting words to themselves, while to others, it may mean doing something that they enjoy doing which helps to soothe the painful feelings, such as going for a walk or playing music they enjoy.

Eating A Balanced Diet

You may be wondering: “What does a balanced diet consist of ?” A balanced diet consists of seven essential factors:

An intake of these in adequate portions will do well for your sense of wellbeing. You will feel energized, alert and fully present. In addition, PLHIVs who eat well have a higher tolerance for Antiretroviral Therapy and generally feel better.

• Proteins

• Carbohydrates

• Fat

• Fiber

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Water

Sleep

Many of us underestimate the importance of sleep. Experts recommend that people get seven or more hours of sleep per night. Developing a healthy sleep habit (also known as sleep hygiene) can be helpful for getting adequate sleep. What does this mean? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you need to do the following in order to practice good sleep hygiene:

Sleeping too much can also be a sign of depression. You can learn more about this in the section on Mental Health.

• Go to bed around the same time every night.

• Ensure that your room is quiet, relaxing and dark.

• Remove, turn off, or take off all electronic devices (phone, television, laptops) and

• Avoid large meals, alcohol and caffeine late at night.

It is important to note here that many PLHIV experience problems with sleeping. Some research indicates that up to seventy percent (70%) of PLHIV have this challenge. This has been connected to challenges such as worry, anxiety, illness or treatment side effects. As such, it is very important that you practice healthy sleep hygiene as mentioned above and take care of your mental health. If you are concerned that your medications are disrupting your sleep, contact your doctor.

 

Visiting Your Doctor

As mentioned before, your doctor is a critical part of your Dream Team. You can locate a doctor either at your Treatment Site or privately. While it is very important to seek the support of your family and friends, please ensure that you visit your doctor and rely on her/him/them for medical advice.

Medication And Vitamins

As you know, PLHIV are required to take their Antiretroviral (ART) medication daily. This is extremely important. It is also important to take your vitamins. However, before taking any vitamins, please discuss them with your doctor.

What Is HIV-related Stigma?

HIV-related Stigma refers to inaccurate and unfair judgment about PLHIV. Stigma can lead to discrimination. What are some of the unfair assumptions made about PLHIV?

• PLHIV are sinful.

• PLHIV are sexually promiscuous.

• PLHIV can transmit HIV via holding hands with others.

What Is Discrimination?

Because of stigma, discrimination can result. Discrimination refers to unfair treatment of a person who has been stigmatised. Discrimination is extremely harmful and painful to persons who receive such treatment. Persons can sometimes be denied specific rights and freedoms as a result of discrimination.

What Types Of Discrimination Can PLHIV Experience?

In some cases, PLHIV may be:

• Denied casual contact from friends, family members and community members

• Referred to “positives” and “HIVers”

How Can Stigma And Discrimination Affect Treatment And Care For PLHIV?

Stigma and discrimination can affect one’s mental health and lead to conditions such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, these mental health conditions can result in non-adherence to treatment and care.

How Can PLHIV Cope With Stigma And Discrimination?

It is important to find healthy ways to address the effects of stigma and discrimination. Firstly, a healthy support network is important. These are people that you can share distress with. Additionally, you can speak to your social worker at your treatment site.

You may want to step a bit further and work with organizations that work to address stigma and discrimination. Many of these are NGOs that have served the community for many years.

It is also helpful for us to hear stories from others who have overcome stigma and discrimination.

Who Do I NEED To Tell?

It is very important to share your status with your sexual partner(s) and any persons with whom you may be sharing injection needles. While we know that this may be scary, to stop the virus, we must protect those around us by letting them know if they should get tested.

If you feel that you may not be safe to tell your partner(s), you can take them to your health care provider to have additional support when you share this information.

To get more information on where to get your partner tested for HIV, speak with someone on the National HIV Helpline call 800-4HIV or 800-4448. (This is a toll-free number.)

You are not alone. #youarenotalonett

Remember that you can still enjoy a healthy and beautiful sex life once you use protection and take your medication as advised by your medical team. Taking your medication as prescribed helps you to attain your U=U status.

It is also important to share your status with your regular doctor so that you can receive the best possible health care. It can be intimidating to share your status,, but doctors especially need to be informed about your medications to be sure that you will not experience any bad reactions from medications used together incorrectly.

Who Does Not Need To Know?

The chart below provides you with a brief snapshot of some members of your treatment team.

Although it is important for some key persons in your life to know, your employer is not one of them. It is important to remember that other than sexual partners, people with whom you share injection equipment and health care providers, no one is obligated to know your HIV status until you are ready to share with them. If you decide to inform your employer, please know it is against the law of Trinidad and Tobago for an employer to discriminate against you based on your HIV status. This is outlined in the Equal Opportunities Act, where HIV is covered under Section 3 which addresses physical conditions.

For children or adolescents who are HIV positive, teachers, classmates, and other school staff do not need to know a child’s HIV status.

Remember S.U.P.P.O.R.T

People often choose to disclose their status to close friends and family members whom they trust. For many, telling those closest to them provides them with both emotional and practical support. Be sure to only share with persons who can give you the type of support that you truly deserve. Be sure to tell persons who can be confidential.

If you would like some more information about disclosure, please take a look at the videos below from Eswick Padmore who is the Founder of Friends for Life and Cyrus Sylvester who is the Vice Chairman of the Patient Advocate Mission. In these videos, you will learn more about how to disclose and what support you can possibly receive from the NGO sector.

A note about Insurance companies Many insurance companies will ask you to disclose your HIV status when applying for certain policies such as Life Insurance and Critical Illness Policies. Some may also ask you to take a HIV test. If you are not provided with a test, they may simply ask you to indicate your status. Sadly, if you indicate that you are negative while being positive, and the insurance company is made aware of this, they may void your policy.But there are options. Some Insurance Companies and Credit Unions offer indemnity plans which mimic life insurance plans.

Pwn And What They Do

PAM And What They Do