“The Pills Helped My Body — But Nobody Told Me How to Heal My Mind.” | by Retroviral Solutions LTD | Oct, 2025

By Retroviral Solutions (RVS)

Subtitle:
A true story about healing beyond medication — and why mental health matters for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

“No one warns you that healing can hurt too.
I learned that the hard way.”

My name is Chika, and I am a Person Living with HIV (PLHIV) for seven years.

When I first started taking my ART medication, I did everything right —
morning alarms, daily doses, clinic visits.

My viral load dropped, and the doctors said I was doing well.
But inside, I was falling apart.

The pills helped my body,
but no one told me how to heal my mind.

I stopped going out.
I stopped answering calls.
Some days, I just wanted to sleep forever.

I smiled at people, but I felt empty inside.
Every time I saw my meds, I felt anger — not at the drugs, but at my life.
I hated feeling different.

Then one day, I missed a clinic appointment.
Then another.

It became easier to avoid it all —
until I started feeling weak again.

During an outreach by Retroviral Solutions (RVS),
a counselor asked me one question that broke me open:

“Chika, when last did you talk about how you feel?”

No one had ever asked me that before.

That day, for the first time, I cried in front of someone.
Not because I was weak —
but because I was tired of being strong all the time.

The counselor explained that mental health is part of treatment too.
That peace of mind helps the pills work better —
and that healing isn’t just physical, but emotional too.

Slowly, I started therapy.
I found community in a support group.
And I began to live again — not just survive.

Today, I still take my ART.
But I also take care of my peace.

At RVS, we believe that health is not only about medication.
It’s about mind, body, and support.

We may not always see the battles people are fighting,
but we can always choose kindness.

Maybe it’s time we checked in —
not just online, but in real life too.

Who knows whose life you might touch?

Tomorrow is #WorldMentalHealthDay,
but the talk starts today.

💚 It’s okay to feel.
💚 It’s okay to talk.
💚 It’s okay to seek help.

You are not alone — and you don’t have to be.

Talk to someone today!