The Im Ready research program: Know your status. Connect to care. Together, let’s end HIV in Canada.
We designed the I’m Ready, Talk secure telehealth service to pair with our I’m Ready, Test app as part of the I’m Ready research program. The I’m Ready, Talk app is where you can access support from peer navigators before, during or after you HIV self-test. Our peer navigators can help answer your questions about the I’m Ready research program, guide you to information about HIV self-testing and provide live, virtual support while you test. They can also point you to services and information for HIV care and prevention.
Please note that our peer navigators are a support and guidance service to help you find the care and information you may need, but are not regulated healthcare providers and cannot provide medical care. If you need help for mental or physical health needs you should seek medical care.
Our peer navigators are a diverse and dedicated team from different regions in Canada who are committed to increasing access to HIV testing, care and prevention. They aim to provide support that is culturally safer, anti-racist, affirming of sexual orientations and gender identities, sex-positive, respectful and judgment free. Each peer navigator brings their own lived experience to the table and has been trained specifically for this program to guide you to the right information on HIV care and prevention for where you’re at.
How to connect with a peer navigator through I’m Ready, Talk:
Once you’re part of the I’m Ready research program and have consented through the I’m Ready, Test app, you’ll access I’m Ready, Talk online or download the app from the Apple.
If you have questions about the I’m Ready research program, you can also chat with a peer navigator at any time without having to download the app or join I’m Ready.
You have the option to filter peer navigators by language, location, gender and ethnicity. From there, you’ll be able to see brief bios for each peer navigator to learn more about who they are.
Next, you’ll choose from different available appointment types, from a general Q & A chat, to support while you’re using an HIV self-test, or a follow-up discussion after you test. You can choose for your appointment to be text-based chat only or with voice or video chat.
Once you request the appointment, to confirm the appointment you’ll give I’m Ready, Talk an email address and a name (either your real name or one you make up) to create your account. This is how you’ll manage and book appointments in the future. The I’m Ready research team will not collect the email address you use for your account—this stays with the I’m Ready, Talk service and is stored separately.
Visit readytoknow.ca to learn more.