A peer is another word for a person who may have been through similar experiences to you and found themselves in similar situations to your own.
Many people find that ‘peer support’ with another positive person is a real help in coping with HIV. Peer support can be informal and happen amongst friends or organised more formally. It can be part of a clinic or of the work of a support charity close to you .
People have found peer support helpful for the following reasons:
- Telling another positive person might be the first time you’ve met someone in a similar situation
- You’re able to share your experience with an equal in a way that values their friendship
- You will understand you’re not the only one with HIV
- Find others who can be a role model in some aspect of their life, like taking treatment or work
- You can learn self-confidence and self-awareness
- You can have social time without having to worry about who knows if you’re HIV positive
Not everyone with HIV needs formal support of this kind, and many people prefer not to be part of a group. Individual peer support is also available. Many people move on from peer support or prefer to be part of mainstream social life. All of these choices are fine. The main thing is that if you become part of a group, it’s because you want to be. And if you feel it’s served its purpose for you, and you want to stop attending, then you can do so without pressure.
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