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REACH OUT   Highland
The Sexual Health Charity For The Highlands
Reach Out Highland Web Site
REACH OUT Highland is a sexual health charity which opened on 1st April 1995.
we support anyone - regardless of their cultural, religious, personal beliefs and values, age or lifestyle - to make effective choices about their sexual health and well being.
WHAT IS SEXUAL HEALTH?
A glance at any problem page in women and men's magazines will show the range of issues which people often face.  While some may specifically concern HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, others can be about relationships, sexuality, abuse, inability to negotiate safer sex, infertility, contraception and impotence, to name but a few.

When most of us think of health we think of disease or the absence of it, but sexual health is much more than that.  Sex threatens us, motivates us and offers escape.  It can be tender, loving, joyful, painful, explosive, wondrous, fulfilling or humiliating.  We may get enough or too little.

Our lifestyle determines our health - what we eat, how we use or abuse our bodies, the kind of sex we have - safe, safer or unsafe.

At a deeper level, noticing what drives us to do what we do - the 'payoffs' we get from engaging in risky behaviour, smoking, drinking, taking drugs, being (in)considerate of others - can help us determine whether what we do contributes to our health and well being or not.
Then there's the really deep level which is about our reason for "being here" our "purpose" in life.  this also determines whether our health is one of illness or wellness.  If our life has little or no meaning, we may hold a poor self image, take little care of ourselves or engage in unhealthy or unsafe pursuits.
Sexual health is therefor more than just about the absence of disease; it is about what makes us "tick", about how accepted or accepting we are, it is about enjoying our relationships with ourselves and others, it is about embracing life.
HOW IS IT FOR YOU?
Hopefully, the sexual side of your sex life will be healthy.  but if you're reading this then perhaps, like others, it may be an area of concern.  How many of the following sound like you?

- I am afraid of sex.
- Sex is dirty.
- Genitals frighten me.
- I seldom get what I want.
- I want to avoid becoming pregnant.
- I'm HIV+ and need help.
- My partner doesn't like my body.
- I'm confused about my sexuality.
- I lack confidence in mixing with others.
- I'm afraid of disease.
- I'm not good enough; I don't deserve.
- Sex is painful.
- I was/am a victim of abuse.
- I need good, clear information around sexual health.

If you have checked off three or more of the above then you would do well to consider improving your sexual health.
Perhaps we can help?  If we can't we may know someone who can!
OUR SERVICES
We offer a range of services:
- information on sexual health, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and diseases.
- support to those infected as well as those close to them.
- information and emotional support on sexuality.
- HIV counselling and testing.
- training for groups, schools, organisations and employers.
- support to self help or other interest groups.
- free condoms and lubricant.
CONTACT US AT
REACH OUT Highland
34 Waterloo Place
Inverness
IV1 1NB

Tel  01463 711585
Fax 01463 711793
web site - www.reachouthighland.org.uk 
email - support@reachouthighland.org.uk