This stigma can severely impact the emotional well-being of people living with HIV.
The connection between HIV and mental health is substantial, yet it is frequently overlooked and disregarded.
I was only 14 years old when I was diagnosed with HIV.
At that time, I was in grade 10 and attending a youth day event representing my school.
I was overwhelmed with fear.
I feared that showing any sign of distress would reveal my result to them.
I composed myself and left the consultation room as if nothing had happened.
This became the reality of my first five months living with HIVburdened by the fear of disclosing my status.
This shows how isolating HIV stigma is.
HIV-related stigma is greatly dehumanising and undermines the dignity of people living with HIV.
It seeks to isolate and deny us the same rights and opportunities afforded to others.
This stigma aims to diminish our sense of worth simply because we are living with HIV.
The persistence of HIV stigma is a major factor contributing to the ongoing increase in HIV rates.
It continues to hinder people from disclosing their status and adhering to treatment.
The pervasive effects of HIV stigma even extend to the rejection of prevention methods.
I refuse to let my story be seen as a mere tragedy.
I am not a sad story.
I live, and I continue to thrive.
The difficulty I face in discussing my mental health highlights the impact of HIV stigma.
The stigma surrounding HIV can worsen mental health struggles.
It is important that we prioritise our mental health as we do with our physical health.
Through collective effort, we can unite in intentionally choosing to place kindness at the heart of our actions.
We owe each other empathy, decency and kindness.
People living with HIV are worthy of empathy, decency and kindness too!
