providing a
SAFE SPACE What does it mean to provide a safe space?
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Acknowledging and affirming that the space is safe is the first step. Once it is identified as a safe space, people can start to feel more comfortable in the space. Creating a safe space means educating the individuals who work in the space about correct language to use and how to acknowledge certain nuances in clients. It means making an effort to not only avoid offending individuals but to make them feel welcome. Once the individual feels welcome and not stigmatized or discriminated against, they’re more likely to be able to tell you what’s actually happening, what they require from a health perspective.
Dr. Reitz on: The difference it makes...
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One of my proudest moments in rural practice is still an individual who sat down in front of me in my office. This client was born male in a rural setting in Saskatchewan and said that they would like to be referred for gender dysphoria. There are very few moments in one’s career when you are that proud, when you have that much admiration for an individual, both in the fact that they feel comfortable enough to do that, but also to do that in a setting that is historically more conservative and not necessarily as safe.
Resources PrEP Clinic Saskatoon: OUTSaskatoon, 320 21st St. West Clinic days: Second Saturday of every month www.outsaskatoon.ca/clinic 306-665-1224
PrEP Clinic Regina: 306-766-3935
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SMA DIGEST | SPRING 2019
Guidelines for physicians through the SK HIV Collaborative https://skhiv.ca/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep
Questions? Dr. Francois Reitz at francois@sma.sk.ca