In line with the WHO definition of health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity", and taking into consideration the various resolutions of the World Health Assembly, at its forty-ninth session the WHO Regional Committee for Africa adopted the Strategy for Mental Health in the African Region, for the period 2000-2010.

The aim of the strategy for mental health and the prevention and control of substance abuse is to help prevent and control mental, neurological and psychosocial disorders, thus contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of the populations. This can be achieved through the formulation and strengthening of national mental health policies and the development and implementation of programmes in all the Member States in the African Region.

While adopting and implementing the regional strategy, all Member States should integrate mental health and the prevention of substance abuse into their national health services.

The objectives of the strategy are:

(i) to promote mental health and prevent mental, neurological and psychosocial disorders and drug abuse-related problems;

(ii) to reduce disability associated with neurological, mental and psychosocial disorders through community-based rehabilitation;

(iii) to reduce the use of psychoactive substances (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs);

(iv) to change people's negative perceptions of mental and neurological disorders; and

(v) to formulate or review existing legislation in support of mental health and the prevention and control of substance abuse.

The strategy is expected to contribute to the development of national programmes in Member States with the involvement of governments and partners.

Furthermore, by the resolution AFR/RC49/R3 the Committee gave the necessary orientations for the implementation of this strategy.