Patient Resources | Overview
Boston HAPPENS provides services to youth, 13 and older, who are HIV positive or at risk for the disease and other STDs. HAPPENS also offers HIV/STI counseling and testing billed through insurance.
Support services
We also provide HIV positive youth with a variety of counseling services, including:
- case management and connections to resource
- individual and group therapy
- referrals to groups
- support for family, friends and partners
For Youth at Risk for HIV, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis
- HIV counseling and testing (also available for adults, ages 13 and older)
- STI and Viral Hepatitis Screening and Referrals for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C
- free male and female condoms, lube, and other risk reduction and educational materials
- referrals for birth control, family planning, mental health, substance abuse counseling, and other services
- post-exposure prophylaxis and HIV testing, follow-up and counseling for young people exposed to HIV through sex or needles or who are victims of sexual assault
HIV facts
Am I really at risk for getting HIV?
You are always at risk for getting HIV/AIDS if you are having sex or sharing needles.
Free and confidential HIV testing and counseling information
Having sex puts you at risk for HIV
- It doesn't matter if you are heterosexual ("straight"), homosexual ("gay") or bisexual ("bi") - anytime you have sex you are at risk of getting HIV/AIDS.
- You are at risk if you have ever had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You are also at risk for getting HIV/AIDS if you ever had a condom break or slip off during sex.
- If your sexual partner has HIV or is at risk for HIV, you are also in danger of getting the disease.
- If you have had an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or have been sexually assaulted you are also at risk.
- Don't have sex while you are drunk or high since this puts you at a greater risk for getting HIV/AIDS.
- The only way to make sure you are not at risk for getting HIV/AIDS is to not have sex and not share needles. But if you do decide to have sex, always use a condom!
- You are at risk for getting HIV/AIDS if you have ever shared needles or "works" to inject drugs or steroids.
- You are also at risk if you have ever shared needles for tattooing or piercing.
- The only way to make sure you are not at risk for getting HIV/AIDS is to not share needles and not have sex. But if you do decide to use needles, always use clean ones!
- https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/
- http://prepfacts.org/
- https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis/
- AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is New England's oldest and largest provider of AIDS services, education and advocacy.
- AIDSinfo is a service of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services offering info on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and research.
- Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (BAGLY) is a youth-led, adult-supported, social support organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning youth and their straight allies, 22 years old and under.
- Boston Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS) is a non-profit project of JRI Health committed to giving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young adults a safe place to meet, talk and hang out.
- Boston Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) is a research program that works to educate health care providers on how to care for teens. Features a list of health services and resources for teens for things like mental health, eating disorders, sexuality, girl power, and substance abuse.
- Center for Young Women's Health provides information on general health & nutrition, reproductive health issues, emotional health and much more for teen girls.
- Boston Children's Hospital is the website for Boston Children's Hospital, one of the nation's top pediatric medical institutions, with links to health information, hospital departments and other hospital programs.
- Health Initiatives for Youth (HIFY) is working to improve access to prevention, care and treatment for adolescents living with, and at-risk of, HIV infection.
- HIV InSite is an HIV information resource project sponsored by the University of California at San Francisco.
- HIVtest.org is an HIV/AIDS testing informational website sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Insurance.laws.com is for patients, employers and providers and explains the new law in Massachusetts requiring that adults 18 and over have health insurance. It also provides health insurance resources.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reaches out to America's teen girls and young women about the dangerous link between non-injecting drug abuse and HIV.
- National Prevention Information Network shares HIV/AIDS and STD resources and information about education and prevention and has published materials and research findings, as well as news about related trends.
- Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is a program that offers training for teens on sexuality and relationships, as well as pregnancy counseling and other reproductive health care services.
- The Body is an HIV/AIDS resource with access to a 15,000-document library.
- UrHealthStyle.com is a site to help teens find health info and services in Massachusetts that meet their needs.
Sharing needles puts you at risk for HIV
More HIV/STI Information
Youth services directory
Includes organizations in the Boston area specializing in HIV/AIDS/STD prevention and education, primary medical care, mental health, substance abuse and faith-based organizations.
Hotline
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Contact
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BMC Public Health Clinic
|
617-414-4290
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Domestic Violence Hotline
|
877-785-2020
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MA AIDS Hotline
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800-235-2331
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MA Commonwealth Connector
|
877-623-6765
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Massachusetts Sexual Health Helpline
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1-877-627-3933
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MA Substance Abuse Hotline
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1-800-327-5050
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Mayor's Youthline
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617-635-2240
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National Clinician's Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
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888-HIV-4911
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National Hopeline
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800-784-2433
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National Runaway Hotline
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800-621-4000
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Peer Listening Line (GLBT support)
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617-267-2535
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Health education
Boston HAPPENS is a proud member of CARE for Youth, a state-wide coalition that is working to keep kids safe and healthy by passing legislation to make comprehensive health education a reality for all Massachusetts public school students.