The first reactions after an HIV diagnosis are often very different. Many people initially experience the news as a shock and wonder what life will be like now. This is exactly where Buddy.hiv comes in: the German AIDS service organisation's project provides contacts throughout Germany to people who have been living with HIV for some time and can support them in their first steps into life with HIV.
Support from person to person
A buddy is someone who knows from their own experience what the first time after a diagnosis can feel like. The programme is aimed at people with HIV regardless of gender or age. The exchange is intended to provide orientation, give courage and show that a natural life with HIV is possible.
How Buddy.hiv works
On Buddy.hiv, users can search for a suitable buddy, narrow down the selection regionally and then contact them directly. More than 40 specially trained people with HIV are currently active in the project throughout Germany - from different walks of life and age groups.
Why the offer is important
Even though HIV is easily treatable today, a positive test result is often experienced as stressful. This makes it all the more important to have someone to talk to who knows the situation from their own experience. IWWIT therefore describes the Buddy Project as support, especially in the first phase after the diagnosis - with advice, emotional support and dialogue at eye level.
Buddy.hiv in figures
over 40 active buddies nationwide
1,001 people accompanied
Accompaniments in 7 languages
98 % would recommend the project to others
Need someone to talk to?
Whether acute or simply for orientation - sometimes it helps to talk to someone in confidence.
Use the Gay Health Chat - the button at the bottom right will accompany you on the page. There you can chat anonymously and free of charge:
- Personal live advice in the chat
- Help by e-mail or telephone
- Information on health, law, everyday life and more
