Within the framework of the United Nation Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), HIV/AIDS represent a public health emergency of international concern. Given the magnitude of the pandemic especially in low- and middle-income countries, any efforts to combat it require a multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral approach.

While the relation and interaction between HIV/AIDS and mental health has been widely documented, mental health disorders in low- and middle-income countries do not attract global health policy attention. And although  some 90% of the burden of HIV/AIDS is in developing countries, very little research has emerged regarding HIV/AIDS and mental health for the afflicted population in that part of the world.

UNU-IIGH aims to bring together a selected group of stakeholders — including scientists, researchers, policy makers, civil society representatives, frontline workers, UN agencies and NGOs — to share significant findings, promote collaboration and coordination and  transfer experiences from a multidisciplinary approach on the issue of socio-economic and mental health burden of HIV/AIDS. This international seminar also will address gaps in policies and promote the integration of primary mental health care approach into HIV/AIDS programmes to overcome current and future challenges.

The seminar will have four broad themes

Socio-economic burden of HIV/AIDS

Mental health burden of HIV/AIDS

Care delivery and response from the frontline people

Primary mental health and HIV/AIDS care services