The GLAS Foundation and its partners organized two new support groups for people with HIV

Twenty patients with HIV joined two new support groups prior to the end of 2018. These support groups are organized by CheckPoint Sofia and the GLAS Foundation and are hosted by a clinical social worker.

During the course of each gathering, patients, who carry the virus, share within a safe environment their accomplishments, hardships and challenges and thus they offer emotional and moral support to others. The support groups are not psychotherapeutic, in spite of the fact that they discuss feelings, experiences and emotions. The group’s anonymity and confidentiality are an extremely important task for CheckPoint Sofia and the GLAS Foundation, and that is why all necessary precautions have been taken.

In 2018 CheckPoint Sofia and the GLAS Foundation started 2 other support groups, where 19 boys living with HIV participated. Thus, the number of groups that have been held this year is 4, and about 40 young people with HIV have taken part. Apart from patient care, CheckPoint Sofia also offers emotional support to the relatives and partners of HIV-positive people, who also gather in a group for sharing and giving each other support.