Description
The intersection between mental health and HIV/AIDS is relatively undeveloped. This report draws on the perspectives and experiences of academics, nongovernmental workers and government officials, from both developed and developing countries, who gathered at a meeting in March 2003. The aim of the meeting was to start to develop a better understanding of the complex ways in which HIV/AIDS affects people's mental health and the implications this has for those infected by the disease, their families and friends as well as for society as a whole.

Through several large-scale research projects, the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health Research Programme of the HSRC aims to generate knowledge that can be used to prevent HIV infection, enhance care for people with HIV/AIDS and mitigate the impact of the pandemic on all sectors of society.

Table of Contents
Introduction and reasons for the round-table meeting

Presentations
The current situation of HIV/AIDS in South Africa
Dr Olive Shisana

Overview of care and support
Dr Zukiswa Pinini

Voluntary counselling and testing
Cynthia Nhlapo

Mental health in children orphaned by AIDS
Dr Lauren Wild

A view of HIV/AIDS and mental health issues in South Africa ± from the outside looking in
Dr Francine Cournos and Dr Pamela Collins

HIV/AIDS and psychiatry: the Toronto experience
Dr Mark Halman

Some crystal ball gazing: mental health in 2015
Prof Melvyn Freeman

Day I: An overview of the key themes
Day II: Areas requiring further research, policy and service development

Future collaboration

Conclusions

Appendices
Appendix 1: Acronyms
Appendix 2: Overview of the HSRC's Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and
Health (SAHA) Research Programme
Appendix 3: Participants at the round-table meeting