Results are discussed in terms of the potential for linking faith communities and formal systems of care, given the centrality of the Black church in historical context.

Depression is one of the most common co-morbidities of HIV infection. It negatively impacts self-care, quality of life, and biomedical outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH) and may interfere with their ability to benefit from health promotion interventions. State-of-the-science research among PLWH, therefore, must address depression. To guide researchers, we describe the main diagnostic, screening, and symptom-rating measures of depression, offering suggestions for selecting the most appropriate instrument. We also address cultural considerations in the assessment of depression among PLWH, emphasizing the need to consider measurement equivalence and offering strategies for developing measures that are valid cross-culturally. Finally, acknowledging the high prevalence of depression among PLWH, we provide guidance to researchers on incorporating depression into the theoretical framework of their studies and employing procedures that account for participants with depression.

Rural areas of the United States continue to struggle to provide residents with adequate access to quality mental health care. Problems with adequately defining rurality for research and policy purposes, a shortage of qualified personnel, a lack of integration between primary-care and specialty mental health services, and stigma associated with mental illness have contributed to the mental health service crisis in rural areas. The assertion is made that psychologists can help to alleviate these problems through specialized training for rural service, the utilization of technology for service delivery, the dissemination of empirically supported treatments, and grassroots advocacy. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of prescription privileges for psychologists and the unclear status of subdoctoral providers are discussed in terms of potential impact on rural areas. Finally, psychologists are encouraged to direct research efforts toward the development and implementation of novel solutions to the service problems in rural areas.