CAHIV Establishes Support Groups

Kruno Jost
Hrvatska udruga za oboljele od HIVa

30 August 2005

Persons with HIV/AIDS turn introspective and for the better part of their lives they live in fear whether the people around would find out what they suffer from. They keep silent about their condition and existing problems, in spite of the need to share their feelings and fears with somebody.

In January 2004, the Testing and Advisory Centre was established under the auspices of the CAHIV which works in the facilities of �Dr. Fran Mihaljevic� Clinic of Infectious Diseases. The Centre employs a psychologist and a social worker who are available to provide psychosocial support to persons with HIV/AIDS.

In the past year and a half, the Centre provided only individual counseling and counseling for family members. However, the need for groups work identified, which was a service that could not be provided due to lack of proper space and facilities.

The AIDS Reference Centre (for more information, contact the Centre at 01/4678 243) announced the start of the group counseling work with HIV/AIDS patients, with the goal to increase their capacity to efficiently cope with various emotional and social difficulties related to their condition.