The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) Africa Initiative on Mental Health & HIV/AIDS had its beginnings in October 2006 when the WFMH Board of Directors adopted a Position Statement on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS in low-income countries.
In January 2008 WFMH convened an International Experts Forum on the Mental Health Consequences of HIV/AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa. This group developed the principles and objectives to guide the Initiative, which is now based in a Cape Town Secretariat hosted by the Cape Mental Health Society.
The Africa Initiative is working to raise awareness about the important relationship between mental health & HIV/AIDS, and to develop a strong network to increase collaboration and to support effective advocacy to improve services for people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and caregivers.
An introductory presentation outlining the relationship between mental health & HIV, and the objectives and progress of the Africa Initiative is available for
download here.