HIV/AIDS and psychiatry: Towards the establishment of a pilot programme for detection and treatment of common mental disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS in Cape Town

Abstract

As the roll-out of antiretrovirals (ARVs) to people living with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA) continues to increase in South Africa, so too does the need to integrate mental health services into HIV care. In this editorial, we argue that the role of mental health in ARV programmes is central. The prevalence of mental disorders in PLWHA is higher than in the general population, and the impact of these conditions is substantial. Screening tools for mental disorders are both available and feasible. These should be incorporated into routine ARV care, with support from dedicated HIV mental health services