Mental Support System....suggestions?

[BubbaPat]

Howdy!

I was wondering what some would consider helpful to their mental health in living with HIV.  I know that I come online to chat with folks but for me, that's about it.  Where I live seems to be a mix of ignorance and denial, and that's a discussion for another day... TODAY, I'm wondering what has worked for people.  Is it a close family, friends, or local support group? Is it volunteering? Just staying active?

Love to hear from you!

Hugs!!
Bubba Pat

[PittGurl]

Where i live - the same thing...matter of fact - no one i know how this in my teeny tiny town and Im not opening my mouth to be the 1st. I know that sounds cowardly but I cant risk the ignorance not to me but to my kids.

Right now the best mental health i can find is this board, my family (only told parents and brother & his wife), reading my Bible and talking to God ALOT and i say that bc there are times ....like 3am....when i can't call on family or friends and i need someone to talk to - so I pray ....and most times it calms me and I fall asleep.

[BubbaPat]

Thanks kiddo!

Thanks for our input Pitt Gurl.  For me, my family DOESN"T know... and I doubt I'll ever tell them.  Once my mother passed away, my siblings and I tried to stay a family but we just drifted and no one makes the effort to stay connected. 
For me.. over the years since I found out, I never told any of those that I thought close to me.  I wanted to tell one friend some about a year ago but when I called, he heard the agitation in my voice and after I mentioned I was having a rough day, he told me was busy and would call me later.  Two weeks later, he calls me because he's on the road and half way into town for a tournament and wants to see if I've got some time to come to the bars and hangout. 

For me it's just been an up and down mental exercise these past few years and I was curious as to what everyone else has done.  I too have come on here from time to time.  I've only had ONE bad experience and had to keep telling myself just because ONE ding dong wants to be a jerk doesn't mean everyone else is.

I too have been getting back to my religious roots.  Sadly... I was always that Baptist child they kept telling to keep quiet because I had questions about the plot holes in the Bible. LOL.

Thanks again for sharing.

Bubba hugs!