Healthy Relationships is all about disclosure to family, friends, and partners.  It is an interactive setting that uses movie clips, role playing, and situational discussions to provide guidance in disclosing.

Here is a brief overview of a Healthy Relationships seminar.

TRIGGERS AND BARRIERS

TRIGGERS CAN ENCOURAGE YOU TO DISCLOSE.

EXAMPLE:  IT COULD BE A THOUGHTFUL "ENCOURAGING" STATEMENT (FRIEND SAYS SHE FEELS SAD WHEN PEOPLE REJECT SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY HAVE HIV/AIDS) OR AN UNPLANNED MOMENT THAT IS "NOT THOUGHT OUT" (TOO MUCH TO DRINK AND YOU JUST START TALKING ABOUT LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS WITH ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN).

BARRIERS ARE THINGS THAT DISCOURAGE YOU FROM DISCLOSING. 

EXAMPLE:  A STATEMENT FROM SOMEONE CLOSE THAT STATES PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS SHOULD "ALL BE IN JAIL".  OR PERHAPS IT IS YOUR GRANDMOTHER WHO LOVE YOU SO MUCH BUT THER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS DO NOT BELIEVE IN YOUR LIFESTYLE.

SOMETIMES A SITUATION CAN BE A TRIGGER AND A BARRIER.

EXAMPLE:  YOU'RE VISITING A FRIEND IN THE HOSPITAL AND THEY DO NOT KNOW YOU HAVE HIV/AIDS. 

TRIGGER:  IT REMINDS YOU OF YOUR HIV/AIDS TEST RESULTS AND YOU THINK ABOUT DISCLOSING.

BARRIER:  PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AND OUT OF THE ROOM AND THERE IS NO PRIVACY TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN DISCLOSING.

TRIGGERS AND BARRIERS:

1.  PEOPLE

2.  PLACES

3.  THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

4.  SUBSTANCES

EXAMPLE OF TRIGGER/BARRIER:  TRIGGERS AND BARRIERS CAN HELP OR HOLD YOU BACK.

RED LIGHT (BARRIER) HOLDS YOU BACK

GREEN LIGHT:  OK TO TO GO (TRIGGER)

PROBLEM SOLVING

DEFINITION OF PROBLEM SOLVING:  ABILITY TO THINK OF POSSIBLE PLANS TO ACHIEVE THE LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM RESULTS YOU WANT, INCLUDING OVERCOMING ANY PROBLEMS OR BARRIERS.

*  IDENTIFY THE RESULTS YOU WANT (LONG/SHORT)

*  IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

*  BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE PLANS

1.  IDENTIFY THE RESULTS YOU WANT:  LOWER YOUR ANXIETY, GET SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS, EASE YOUR LONLINESS, ETC.

2.  IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM:  IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME/SITUATION TO DISCLOSE?

3.  BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE PLANS:  DON'T DRINK, ASK IF YOU CAN TALK TO THEM ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT, IDENTIFY THE RIGHT TIME TO  TELL, THINK OF WHAT YOU NEED AND WANT FROM THE PERSON.

EXAMPLE:  RED LIGHT/TRAFFIC

IDENTIFY SHORT/LONG TERM RESULTS (NEED TO GET TO WORK TO KEEP MY JOB)

IDENTIFY THEPROBLEM (IT LOOKS LIKE A TRAFFIC JAM AND I AM RUNNING LATE)

BRAINSTORM PLANS (CONTINUE STRAIGHT OR TURN RIGHT)

SITUATION:  YOU ARE AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE WHO DOES NOT KNOW YOU ARE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS AND YOU ARE FEELING LONELY.  USE THE ABOVE STEPS AND PROBLEM SOLVE THIS SITUATION.  THESE STEPS CAN HELP YOU WITH LIFE SITUATIONS NOT JUST THOSE DEALING WITH HIV/AIDS.

DECISION MAKING AND ACTION

DEFINITION OF DECISION MAKING:  ABILITY TO WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS OF TWO OPTIONS AND TO CHOOSE AN OPTION THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.

PROS:  POSSIBLE POSITIVE RESULTS FROM AN OPTION

CONS:  POSSIBLE NEGATIVE RESULTS FROM AN OPTION

GOOD DECISION MAKING:  ONE THAT IS REALISTIC, FAIR/BALANCED, MEETS THE NEEDS OF ALL PARTICIPANTS AND CONSIDERS THE FUTURE.

ACTION:  ABILITY TO ACT ON THE OPTION YOU CHOSE AND TO COMMUNICATE YOUR DECISIONS TO OTHERS.

SOMETIMES IT IS USEFUL TO MAKE A LIST OR CHART OF THE PROS AND CONS OF A SITUATION.  THIS ALLOWS YOU TO SEE THE ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE OF PROCEEDING WITH YOUR PLAN.

Information discussed during a Healthy Relationships seminar is confidential.  No information is to be discussed outside of the class.  Disclosure and safer sex practices are discussed, including useful steps to assist you in your decision to disclose to family, friends, and sexual partners. It is a state law that anyone who has HIV/AIDS must disclose their health status to a sexual partner prior to engaging in a sexual activity.

A Healthy Relationships seminar includes useful information, food, soft drinks, and a prize incentive given each day to those in attendance.  Upon completion of the program, each participant  will receive a $50.00 bankcard to use as needed and a celebratory dinner will be provided. 

This is just a brief overview of the Healthy Relationships class which is conducted twice a year.  If you would like to attend a class, please contact Bobbi J. Bratchett at 740-353-8863 extension 250 or bobbi.bratchett@odh.ohio.gov.