ENGLISH
Dealing with stigma and discrimination
Dealing with stigma and discrimination
Arriving in a new country while living with HIV at the same time can make you feel lonely, afraid or sad. These feelings are normal. They can be more intense if you are treated differently, excluded or discriminated against because you have HIV. Accepting prejudice or mistreatment as normal can affect your health. This fact sheet offers some simple ideas for dealing with stigma and discrimination.
Before we begin: What is stigma and what is discrimination?
01
Recognise and make use of support
02
Understand and make sense of it
03
Take stock of what you are experiencing and what you hear
04
Apply and transform into action
05
01
Before we begin: What is stigma and what is discrimination?
DISCRIMINATION
STIGMA
Stigma means rejection, shame or prejudice regarding a person because they are living with HIV. It may take the shape of hurtful words, suspicious looks or false ideas.
FOR EXAMPLE
FOR EXAMPLE
Discrimination is when that prejudice is expressed as unfair or unequal treatment towards the stigmatised person.
Someone may mistakenly believe they cannot shake your hand because you have HIV.
Not being attended properly at a health centre or being denied a job because of your health status.
“Stigma and discrimination are not about who you are, but about other people’s prejudices. You deserve respect and care.”
02
MEDICAL TEAM
Recognise and make useof support
• The first step is to know where to go.
• Talk to your medical team if you notice that stigma is affecting your confidence or your treatment.
COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
• You can also consult psychological support services, migrant associations and community organisations that work in responding to HIV.
ASSOCIATIONS
04
03
Understand and make sense of it
Take stock of what you are experiencing and what you hear
• Learn to distinguish between valid medical advice and discriminatory comments.
• Understanding that stigma is not truth, but rather prejudice, gives you strength.
• Assess whether what you hear around you is myth or fact.
• At the doctor’s surgery, remember that HIV does not justify unequal treatment.
• Reflect on which social networks or friendships offer you support, and which reinforce stigma.
• From a preventive perspective, becoming aware of how fear of being judged can stop you from being tested medically is an important step.
05
Apply and transform into action
• Practise assertive communication in the doctor’s surgery.
• Respond calmly in difficult situations.
• Get involved in campaigns or groups that defend the rights of people with HIV.
Assertive communication is a tool that gives you strength with which you can protect your dignity and take care of your health at the same time.
What is assertive communication?
• Speaking clearly and respectfully, standing up for your rights without being aggressive or remaining silent.
• Expressing yourself firmly but calmly.
EXAMPLES
At the doctor’s surgery: “I want to ask a question because I need to understand my treatment properly.”
When faced with a negative comment: “I understand what you’re saying, but I need you to treat me with respect.”
SUBVENCIONA
COLABORA
Descargo de responsabilidad
La información contenida en esta ficha no pretende sustituir la recibida por el médico. Las decisiones referentes a la salud siempre deberían tomarse tras consultar con los profesionales sanitarios. La información médica puede quedar desactualizada con rapidez. Si te surge alguna pregunta tras leer esta ficha, te aconsejamos hablar con tu médico o enfermera o llamar a gTt-VIH, al 93 458 26 41, para comprobar si existe alguna novedad relevante al respecto.
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Transcript
ENGLISH
Dealing with stigma and discrimination
Dealing with stigma and discrimination
Arriving in a new country while living with HIV at the same time can make you feel lonely, afraid or sad. These feelings are normal. They can be more intense if you are treated differently, excluded or discriminated against because you have HIV. Accepting prejudice or mistreatment as normal can affect your health. This fact sheet offers some simple ideas for dealing with stigma and discrimination.
Before we begin: What is stigma and what is discrimination?
01
Recognise and make use of support
02
Understand and make sense of it
03
Take stock of what you are experiencing and what you hear
04
Apply and transform into action
05
01
Before we begin: What is stigma and what is discrimination?
DISCRIMINATION
STIGMA
Stigma means rejection, shame or prejudice regarding a person because they are living with HIV. It may take the shape of hurtful words, suspicious looks or false ideas.
FOR EXAMPLE
FOR EXAMPLE
Discrimination is when that prejudice is expressed as unfair or unequal treatment towards the stigmatised person.
Someone may mistakenly believe they cannot shake your hand because you have HIV.
Not being attended properly at a health centre or being denied a job because of your health status.
“Stigma and discrimination are not about who you are, but about other people’s prejudices. You deserve respect and care.”
02
MEDICAL TEAM
Recognise and make useof support
• The first step is to know where to go.
• Talk to your medical team if you notice that stigma is affecting your confidence or your treatment.
COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
• You can also consult psychological support services, migrant associations and community organisations that work in responding to HIV.
ASSOCIATIONS
04
03
Understand and make sense of it
Take stock of what you are experiencing and what you hear
• Learn to distinguish between valid medical advice and discriminatory comments.
• Understanding that stigma is not truth, but rather prejudice, gives you strength.
• Assess whether what you hear around you is myth or fact.
• At the doctor’s surgery, remember that HIV does not justify unequal treatment.
• Reflect on which social networks or friendships offer you support, and which reinforce stigma.
• From a preventive perspective, becoming aware of how fear of being judged can stop you from being tested medically is an important step.
05
Apply and transform into action
• Practise assertive communication in the doctor’s surgery.
• Respond calmly in difficult situations.
• Get involved in campaigns or groups that defend the rights of people with HIV.
Assertive communication is a tool that gives you strength with which you can protect your dignity and take care of your health at the same time.
What is assertive communication?
• Speaking clearly and respectfully, standing up for your rights without being aggressive or remaining silent.
• Expressing yourself firmly but calmly.
EXAMPLES
At the doctor’s surgery: “I want to ask a question because I need to understand my treatment properly.”
When faced with a negative comment: “I understand what you’re saying, but I need you to treat me with respect.”
SUBVENCIONA
COLABORA
Descargo de responsabilidad La información contenida en esta ficha no pretende sustituir la recibida por el médico. Las decisiones referentes a la salud siempre deberían tomarse tras consultar con los profesionales sanitarios. La información médica puede quedar desactualizada con rapidez. Si te surge alguna pregunta tras leer esta ficha, te aconsejamos hablar con tu médico o enfermera o llamar a gTt-VIH, al 93 458 26 41, para comprobar si existe alguna novedad relevante al respecto.