Since the beginning of the epidemic homophobia and HIV/AIDS fear and stigma have magnified each other, creating environments that have contributed to both the overall AIDS crisis as well as new infections, with disastrous consequences for gay and bisexual men. Despite this it was the gay and lesbian communities that first organized and responded to the crisis; taking the lead in both support services as well as targeted prevention education.

The early success of community-based HIV prevention amongst gay men is still one of the best textbook cases of mass behavior modification in modern history. Since the introduction of the Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART aka “the drug treatment ‘cocktail’”) in 1996 new challenges have emerged that impact why gay and bisexual men are still becoming infected in substantial numbers. Those new challenges have required considerable re-thinking about how to respond to both those infected as well as those who are not. Gay and bisexual men tend to not fair very well with regard to the majority of the social determinants of health that now frame most thinking about the health of populations. Individually and collectively these determinants are factors in assessing gay and bisexual men’s risk for HIV infection as well as impacting the success of HAART for those who are HIV positive.

The success of HAART itself has been such that HIV disease, which was once a ‘death sentence’, is now a manageable illness for those that have access to modern treatments and support. Now that HIV positive gay men are living much longer lives health issues typically associated with aging are now becoming much more prominent (though sometimes manifesting earlier than the norm and when an HIV positive individual dies his death is now more likely to be from an aging-related illness rather than an immune system compromised one). As well simply managing ongoing side effects of the drug treatments themselves and the emerging long term effects of HAART are also challenges further complicating an already complicated health picture.

Social Discussion Groups
ACNS hosts a Positive Gay Men’s social discussion group once per month. Contact us to find out more.

PHA Retreats
When we are able, ACNS offers weekend retreats for people living with HIV. This is an opportunity to be in a different environment with your peers, exploring a wide range of things that could help you to improve your quality of life. Contact us to find out about any up coming retreats.

Making Ends Meet
On the first Thursday of each month, PHAs can come in and get personal care products such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and much more. All of the items are new. Supplies may vary form month to month depending on what we have in stock. Contact Support Services to find out how to access Making Ends Meet.

Hospital TV/Telephone Services
If you find yourself in the hospital, ACNS will pay for a TV (basic Cable) or telephone for any. Contact Support Services to find out how to access Making Ends Meet.

At the QEII HIV clinic you can be referred to Dr. Jennifer Hendrick, a psychologist who specializes in working with people living HIV/AIDS. Ask your nurse about this.

Advocacy
ACNS advocates with and on behalf of PHAs to help better access healthcare and community resources such as social assistance, special diet funding, Canada Pension, medication coverage, homecare, basic needs, and housing. WE can also direct you to other organizations that may specialize in the specific area of advocacy that you require or for legal issues.

Referrals
ACNS provides referrals to people living with HIV/AIDS for a variety of supports such as legal aid to assist people in the process of completing living wills, wills, power-of-attorney or other legal maters; psychology and mental heath services; addiction services; social workers; specialized food banks and housing organizations. We may know where you can go to find what you are looking for. Give a call or e-mail and ask!

Treatment Information
Support Services approaches HIV treatment from a holistic, harm reduction perspective and keeps an up to date Treatment Information Library on current HIV treatment issues including medications, adherence strategies, alternative treatments, diet, medication interaction, and mental health. We can provide you with one on one treatment information sessions, Access to Internet and printed resources and Treatment Information workshops. Contact us to find out about any upcoming workshops.

Workshops
In partnership with other local and national organizations, ACNS offers a variety of workshops on a wide range of topics about HIV, Living with HIV and HIV treatment issues throughout the year. Contact us to find out about any upcoming workshops

Complementary and Alternative Therapies
One hour massage appointments with registered massage therapists are available to PHAs as well as haircuts by a professional stylist. We sometimes have other alterative treatment available as well. Call to find out how to make an appointment and book ahead!

This program is made possible by the generous donation of time, talent and care of dedicated complimentary and alternative therapists.

HIV/AIDS Resource Centre
We provide over 1,700 books, 10,000 pamphlets, articles and reports, videos and CDs containing information about issues such as treatment, human rights, HIV prevention, nutrition, etc., to persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Most of the resources are available for loan across the province, and all may be photocopied by request. The centre is open from 10:00am-4:00pm daily. Internet service is also available for research.

Prevention: Sexual Health
The Gay Men’s Health project provides HIV prevention programming to both gay and bi men directly, as well as organizations that serve them. We also take part in national sexual health campaigns targeting MSM.

Creating Supportive Environments
The Gay Men’s Health project participates in programming addressing larger social and community mental health. This includes being a local coordinator of International Day Against Homophobia and participating in Halifax’s Pride.

Positive Gay Men’s Social Group
Friendship and support are extremely important for anyone who is HIV positive. The HIV Positive Gay Men’s Social Group meets monthly in a discrete but comfortable space to provide an opportunity for men to share their experiences, feelings and journey. Light snacks are provided and laughter and camaraderie are the norm.

PrideHealth Clinic
Every two weeks a Clinical Nurse Specialist with PrideHealth offers clinical services at ACNS including HIV and Hepatitis C testing, free hepatitis A/B vaccinations, stress management, smoking cessation, nutrition and weight management and referrals to other GLBTI-friendly health professionals. To make an appointment contact Anita Keeping at 902.220.0643 or email her at anita.keeping@cdha.nshealth.ca.

For more information about anything to do with the Gay Men’s Health Project contact the Gay Men’s Health Coordinator at (902) 423-6999 or email gmhc@acns.ns.ca.

ACNS has created a webpage for youth that has HIV/AIDS prevention information, sexual health information, and community resources. There is also a Facebook page where youth can communicate with each other about HIV/AIDS and other sexual health issues.

We also provide training for youth so they can teach each other about sexual health. Through the project, youth have the opportunity to learn about HIV/AIDS, ask questions in a comfortable environment, build leadership skills, and gain access to resources specifically for them.

For more information on prevention programming for youth please contact:
Women’s Prevention Coordinator: (902) 425-4882 ext 230 or email women@acns.ns.ca
Gay Men’s Health Coordinator: (902) 425-4882 ext 222 or email gmhc@acns.ns.ca.

The population health approach recognizes that health is a capacity or resource rather than a state, a definition which corresponds more to the notion of being able to pursue one’s goals, to acquire skills and education, and to grow. This broader notion of health recognizes the range of social, economic and physical environmental factors that contribute to health.

ACNS works with organizations and communities addressing HIV/AIDS prevention, support and capacity building to reduce harm and improve the health. The best articulation of this concept of health is “the capacity of people to adapt to, respond to, or control life’s challenges and changes” (Frankish et al., 1996).

To make an appointment to access the Clinical Nurse Specialist with PrideHealth please call (902) 220-0643 or call the ACNS Program Coordinator at (902) 425-4882 ext 226.

What ACNS offers:

If your organization or community would like to know more about our Programming or have specific questions regarding HIV/AIDS and providing continued inclusive services please call the Program Coordinator at (902) 425-4882 ext 226 or email pc@acns.ns.ca.