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Summary: Integrated programs for common mental illnesses are evidence-informed practices yet to be routinely implemented in Latin America. It synthesizes the literature on integrated programs for common mental illnesses (anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder) in Latin American primary care and community settings. It maps program components (the ‘what’) to the collaborative care model core components and implementation strategies (the ‘how’) to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) taxonomy. Results from 18 programs across six countries (Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru) show wide heterogeneity in component and strategy combinations. Overall, provider-level components and strategies were more common than family- or community-level ones. ‘Team-based care’ was the most commonly reported component, and ‘family/user engagement’ the least. The most common implementation strategy was ‘supporting clinicians,’ while ‘changing infrastructure’ was the least. Programs commonly addressed depression and only four followed experimental designs. We found limited evidence on the potential mechanisms of integrated program components and strategies.

This study examines the relationship between frequency of Internet use (and types of use) and several social and psychological variables, alcohol and drug use, and academic achievement among 215 students at an urban, commuter university. Frequency of Internet use was not related to symptoms of depression, but three of the types of use (starting the day on the Internet, visiting news sites, viewing videos) reduced symptoms of depression. Internet use was generally related to more face-to-face interaction, suggesting that Internet use is used to augment rather than replace social interaction. However, the significant relationships between Internet use and quality of relationships with parents and significant others tended to be negative. These results are discussed in relation to “The Rich Get Richer” and the “Social Compensation” approaches. Binge drinking and drug use were related to Internet use that might be used to promote social activities. Visiting a sexually explicit web site was the exception, and suggests it could serve a purpose similar to substance use. Grade point average (GPA) was both positively and negatively associated with specific types of Internet use, but the most surprising finding was a positive association between GPA and visiting sexually explicit sites. This finding is discussed from the perspective of the “challenge hypothesis.” Overall, the findings suggest that the past emphasis in research on Internet addiction may have resulted in a bias toward negative findings.