Psychiatry involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
UPH psychiatrists offer comprehensive outpatient mental health consultation, evaluation and treatment services (biological and through psychological counseling) to children, adolescents and adults with a primary psychiatric diagnosis.
They also strongly support community efforts to improve access to and quality of behavioral health care, and to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use disorders.
Special Programs
Crisis Information:
If you have a mental health emergency, dial 911. 24-hour emergency and crisis services are available through University Physicians Healthcare Hospital at Kino Campus and University Medical Center.
You can also call SAMHC Behavioral Health Services at (520) 622-6000 for community crisis services.
Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic: Provides comprehensive outpatient mental health services to children, adolescents, and young adults (from birth to 21 years old).
Phone: (520) 626-7664
Women’s Mental Health Program: Focuses on a continuum of care for pregnant, perimenopausal and menopausal women with mental health disorders.
Contact: Marci Watchman
Phone: (520) 626-7664
Integrative Psychiatry Clinic: Provides psychiatric care that takes account of the body, mind, and spirit.
Phone: (520) 626-7664
Memory Disorder Clinic: Evaluates brain function by testing memory and other thinking. This program is affiliated with the Behavioral Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Clinic in the Department of Neurology.
Phone: (520) 626-2357
Adult Inpatient Units at UPH Kino and UMC: Acute care units that specialize in comprehensive evaluation, stabilization, personalized treatment, and individualized arrangements for after care. See Behavioral Health Services at UPHK (link to BHS).
Phone: (520) 694-8888
Support Groups
Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (MIKID)
Phone: (800) 356-4543
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Southern Arizona (NAMISA)
Phone: (520) 622-5582
Online Resources
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
AACAP Facts for Families
American Psychological Association
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Autism Society of America
Child Welfare League of America
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Institute for Mental Health Research
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMISA)
National Council on Aging
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Mental Health Association
Community Outreach
UPH Psychiatrists provide ongoing community education and public outreach to providers, families and those suffering from mental health disorders. Community education is the best way to reduce stigma around mental health disorders and improve treatment options to support long-term recovery. For information about educational events or to request a speaker, leave a message at (520) 626-6047.
Major Areas of Research
The Department of Psychiatry is focused on understanding the biology and improving the treatment of mood, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders.
UPH psychiatrists are currently conducting research in the areas of depression in perimenopausal women, the impact of parental depression on children, genetic predictors in individuals with a history of depression, and the treatment of chronic depression. They are also researching the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids to treat postpartum depression in women (link to Research page). Treatments for ADHD and autism are also being researched by child psychiatrists.
Clinical Trials
UPH physicians and researchers are actively hosting numerous clinical trials involving weekly or monthly visits to the clinic. All clinical trials offer free treatment, diagnostic assessment, physical exam, laboratory tests, and assistance with referrals. Some studies also recruit healthy volunteers to serve as controls. To inquire about specific studies, call (520) 626-6509. Current studies include:
- Evaluation of the effects of medicine to treat effects of autism and pervasive developmental disorders ini children ages 3-5.
- Depression in perinatal and perimenopausal women, specifically treatment with antidepressants or omega-3 fatty acids.
- The impact of parental depression on their young and adult children.
- Genetic predictors in individuals with a history of depression.
- Medication and psychotherapy treatment of chronic depression.
- Relationship quality and oxytocin levels in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioral Social Rhythm Therapy for sleep in patients with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Interaction of brain activity with physiological responses in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
University of Arizona Department Website
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