During the past ten years, HIV infection has changed from a deadly disease into a chronic condition. Today, modern medication, proper care and healthy living habits allow the HIV-positive to lead a normal, good life. Appropriate medication and care are available in Finland. HIV-positive immigrants have the opportunity to receive individual support and crisis help, with guaranteed confidentiality and secrecy. House calls and family meetings with an AIDS Council employee can also be arranged. Depending on the client's life situation, the AIDS Council employee can accompany the client to give support at various service chain meetings.

An HIV diagnosis is always a turning point in the infected person's life. At first there are many questions and a lot of uncertainty, and one must learn to live with a chronic condition. The Finnish AIDS Council provides support services for HIV-infected people and health care professionals, focusing particularly on the initial stage of the infection.

The services of the Finnish AIDS Council are targeted at the HIV-positive, their families, and those fearing an infection. The services are also available to immigrants, including those infected before moving to Finland. The purpose is to provide multiprofessional support services based on the clients' needs. Immigrants are also assisted with their special needs, like matters relating to residence permits. The objective is to support the clients by enhancing their life management and integration into the society, and to prevent marginalization and discrimination.

The support services include individual supportive and crisis discussions at the initial stage of the infection and in various other life crises, drop in center services, social service counselling, empowerment lectures and courses, and other group and peer support activities. All services are free of charge to the clients of the Finnish AIDS Council and can be used anonymously.