FEATURE // SEXUAL HEALTH
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LET’S TALK ABOUT... SEXUAL HEALTH
FEBRUARY MARKS THE MONTH in which sexual health week takes place across Northern Ireland.
Talking about Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections is one area that she says we need to get a real grip on here in Northern Ireland.
We spoke to Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive at HIV support charity, Positive Life, about the work the organisation is doing to encourage everyone to take control of their own sexual health.
In Northern Ireland, sexual health is still very much a taboo topic and HIV especially so. Those living here with HIV can feel pushed away and detached from society.
“Sexual Health Week helps us remind everyone that it really is up to them as individuals to take control of their own sexual health”, says Richardson from the Positive Life headquarters in south Belfast. “No one can do that for you so its important not to live in ignorance. Like your physical and mental health, its vital that the sexual health element of life is also kept in check. We want to ensure that people take precautions, and if they feel at risk to get tested regularly”, she added.
FIFTY EIGHT // GNIMAG.COM
“We have to work harder to remove the
embarrassment of discussing these issues. Sex and Relationships are part of everyday life and we must bring it out into the open so much more. We have big problems around the teaching of Relationship and Sex Education in schools for example and that has a lasting impact. We know from some of our service users at Positive Life that their lives could be different if they were given the right type of information in their formative years.” Positive Life is one such organisation promoting a positive future for people living with or affected by HIV in Northern Ireland. It has been making a positive contribution to the quality of people’s lives for over 30 years. The work of the charity focuses mainly on supporting needs in a way that creates independence by providing a range of services such as rapid HIV testing, drop-in services, counselling and complementary
