You don’t have to face your fIrsts alone.
When you’re living with HIV, you’re faced with many firsts:
- Your first doctor’s visit
- Your first time telling someone
- Your first date after diagnosis
- Your first time finding a community that truly understands what you’re going through
- And so many more
It helps to get advice from someone who’s been through it before.
FACING THE DIAGNOSIS
Mathew reflects on the moments after his HIV diagnosis and how he moved from stigma and isolation to reclaiming his voice, his identity, and his place in community.
FINDING THE COURAGE TO SHARE
Mathew reflects on the fear of rejection, the reality of stigma, and how reclaiming your story, and your support system, can make disclosure liberating.
YOUR FIRST DOCTOR’S VISIT
Mathew shares how finding the right provider, advocating for your needs, and ensuring you have access to support, especially when testing, can help you navigate care with confidence.
LEARNING ABOUT U=U
Mathew explains what Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) means and how this has transformed his fear into freedom, hope, and confidence in his future.
FINDING COMMUNITY
Drawing from his own diagnosis, Mathew shares why connecting with community-based organizations (CBOs) and other people living with HIV can be life-changing, and why no one should navigate it alone.
DATING & INTIMACY
Mathew shares how, after his diagnosis, reclaiming self-love and leaning on community helped him rediscover confidence in dating, intimacy, and his identity as a sexual being.
Find Community-Based Organizations Near You
There is comfort in community. Across Canada, community-based organizations (CBOs) play a vital role in supporting people who are newly diagnosed with HIV, at risk of HIV, or living with HIV.
These trusted organizations offer services such as HIV testing, treatment, education, and peer or community support. Many provide programs or referrals to HIV care or additional social supports, including housing, nutrition, and mental health services.
CBOs also create space for connection. They bring people together to share experiences, learn from one another, and build supportive relationships. Because living with HIV is about more than health care, support extends to the social and emotional aspects of life as well.
Being diagnosed with HIV can feel incredibly scary and overwhelming […]. CBOs are incredibly important as the person navigates not just their physical health but also their emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
If you have been diagnosed with HIV, think you may have HIV, or believe you have been exposed to HIV and do not have a primary care provider or access to health care, visit your nearest emergency department for immediate care and guidance at no cost.
For a more comprehensive directory of community and social supports, including housing, visit whereto.catie.ca.
