The CAMPsafe program (a program provided by CAMP Rehoboth) evolved from an HIV prevention initiative begun in 1995 to work with Gay and Bisexual men in Sussex and Kent County. The program was needed, was immediately embraced by the community, and has been successful in promoting the HIV/AIDS prevention message. The need for that message continues and CAMPsafe / CAMP Rehoboth remains committed to the HIV prevention effort. Over the years, however, many have wondered if all services provided to the gay/bi community will now forever be coupled with HIV/AIDS. Many have expressed a need for available, sensitive and culturally aware counseling services on a great range of sexual and other health issues not directly connected to HIV/AIDS.
And they were right to wonder. The history of our community is one of strength, solidarity, and compassion in the face of the incredible challenge of HIV/AIDS and all of the social issues that accompanied the epidemic. We were forced to focus all our resources to the fight or die. The price of that survival, however, was all the other services that a healthy community needs to thrive not just survive. Now we are hearing the call to re-invigorate many of those missed services. The Sexual Health Counseling service is now offered as an additional service of the CAMPsafe Program to help meet this need.
One of the things often commented on by community members is the lack of health professionals that know how to deal with gay/bisexual male sexual health concerns without immediately moving the conversation to the subject of HIV testing. Many of us just need good information about how to ensure anal health, or information on how to have sex most enjoyably with the least risk, or on negotiating comfortable sexual limits with partners, and on the use of sexual aids. Many of us need good information about the effects of drug and alcohol use on sexual experience, behaviors and decision making. Many of us just need a sounding board for exploring issues and our own decision making process.
We need information on how to prevent infection with STDs other than HIV - for ourselves and for those we love And we need this information without the historical and essentially de-valuing (and discriminatory) suggestions that we simply do not have sex or that do not acknowledge that the exchange of fluids many times has deep psychological meaning beyond the scope of procreation. And even though we are blessed with HIV/AIDS treatment options and providers of treatment within Delaware that are amazingly above national averages for quality and access, most of us do not and/or can not get these other needed services from traditional medical service providers or from traditional HIV/AIDS case managers and counselors. Sometimes there just isn't enough time in the appointment.
CAMPsafe's Sexual Health Counseling services will offer these services for gay/Bisexual men in a non-judgmental environment. You can ask anything about sexual health, sexual behavior, or health in general. If we do not know the answer, we will find someone who does or make sure you have a referral to someone who will answer your questions with sensitivity. You will not have to get an HIV test (though be assured, these are still available free of charge to those who request them). We will help gay/bi men to identify low and high-risk activities in their lives and help them move toward the health goals that they choose for themselves. The services will be offered at three locations: downtown Rehoboth, at the Sussex County AIDS Committee offices on Route 1, and in Dover.
Call CAMP Rehoboth at (302) 227-5620 to find out about walk-in hours or to make an appointment with me (Sal Seeley, the CAMPsafe counselor).
And they were right to wonder. The history of our community is one of strength, solidarity, and compassion in the face of the incredible challenge of HIV/AIDS and all of the social issues that accompanied the epidemic. We were forced to focus all our resources to the fight or die. The price of that survival, however, was all the other services that a healthy community needs to thrive not just survive. Now we are hearing the call to re-invigorate many of those missed services. The Sexual Health Counseling service is now offered as an additional service of the CAMPsafe Program to help meet this need.
One of the things often commented on by community members is the lack of health professionals that know how to deal with gay/bisexual male sexual health concerns without immediately moving the conversation to the subject of HIV testing. Many of us just need good information about how to ensure anal health, or information on how to have sex most enjoyably with the least risk, or on negotiating comfortable sexual limits with partners, and on the use of sexual aids. Many of us need good information about the effects of drug and alcohol use on sexual experience, behaviors and decision making. Many of us just need a sounding board for exploring issues and our own decision making process.
We need information on how to prevent infection with STDs other than HIV - for ourselves and for those we love And we need this information without the historical and essentially de-valuing (and discriminatory) suggestions that we simply do not have sex or that do not acknowledge that the exchange of fluids many times has deep psychological meaning beyond the scope of procreation. And even though we are blessed with HIV/AIDS treatment options and providers of treatment within Delaware that are amazingly above national averages for quality and access, most of us do not and/or can not get these other needed services from traditional medical service providers or from traditional HIV/AIDS case managers and counselors. Sometimes there just isn't enough time in the appointment.
CAMPsafe's Sexual Health Counseling services will offer these services for gay/Bisexual men in a non-judgmental environment. You can ask anything about sexual health, sexual behavior, or health in general. If we do not know the answer, we will find someone who does or make sure you have a referral to someone who will answer your questions with sensitivity. You will not have to get an HIV test (though be assured, these are still available free of charge to those who request them). We will help gay/bi men to identify low and high-risk activities in their lives and help them move toward the health goals that they choose for themselves. The services will be offered at three locations: downtown Rehoboth, at the Sussex County AIDS Committee offices on Route 1, and in Dover.
Call CAMP Rehoboth at (302) 227-5620 to find out about walk-in hours or to make an appointment with me (Sal Seeley, the CAMPsafe counselor).
1 comment:
CAMPsafe's Sexual Health Counseling services is a great feature for HIV+ and HIV- guys to get information and answers. With information we can make smart choices.
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