Reaching out: the BP helpline.

The Body Positive Helpline is one of the oldest AIDS hotlines in New York. It was founded in the late 1980s by a grant given to Body Positive. The types of calls received by the helpline have greatly changed since the earlier days when resources were scarce. Calls used to have a sense of urgency and desperation, and often the helpline assisted many people in dealing with their initial reaction to their diagnosis. Today, the helpline handles more sophisticated questions from patients and caregivers who are considerably more knowledgeable about the disease and their treatment. The Helpline provides a very extensive training program for its volunteers.