Arizona Psychiatric Society

Jordan Karp, MD, chair of our Department of Psychiatry, and Ayman Fanous, MD, chair of the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix Department of Psychiatry, met with members of U.S. Congress last month to discuss the profound current and upcoming disparities in mental health care and available providers. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), by 2025 there will be a shortage of over 250,000 mental health care professionals, including psychiatrists, mental health and substance abuse social workers, clinical and school psychologists, and school counselors. We are grateful for their dedication in advocating for our health! Read more about their visit to Congress: https://bit.ly/4eO350b

A new paper in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, co-authored by the Meadows Institute’s Andrew D. Carlo, MD MPH and Clare McNutt, PA-C, MSHS, among others, shines a spotlight on a pressing need: better access to behavioral health care within primary care settings. Proven models like Collaborative Care (CoCM) and Measurement-Based Care (MBC) offer promising pathways to improve patient outcomes, yet they can remain underutilized. By addressing potential barriers such training gaps, start-up costs and staffing workflows, we can unlock the full power of MBC and tackle the behavioral health crisis head-on! Check out the full paper here:

Did you know you can use your Vot-ER badge to help patients & colleagues make a plan to vote? Use your tools to find out ballot info, polling places, and even opt in to #voting reminders. https://lnkd.in/gjsm5M3B Remember by #voting in 2024, you’re exercising your #right to have a say in the direction of the country, #advocating for the issues that matter to you, and ensuring that your #voice counts in shaping the future and #healthcare landscape. There is only 20 days until Election Day! #vote #Together, we advance forward! #healthcare #physiciansmatter #mcmsstrong #patientcarematters #democracy #policy #govote

???New AFH Advisory Board Member??? Meet Dr. Brook Choulet, M.D., Founder & CEO of Choulet Performance Psychiatry?. As a leading voice in Performance Psychiatry?, Dr. Choulet has guided countless athletes toward mental excellence through her personalized approach. She’s a trusted provider for the NBPA, NFLPA, and MLBPA, and previously served as a Consulting Team Psychiatrist for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. We’re proud to have her expertise and leadership on the Athletes for Hope Advisory Board!??

?? Did you get the memo? ArMA’s calling everyone into the Doctors' Lounge! ArMA's Private Practice Physician Section presents the return of its Doctors' Lounge Town Hall!? On October 17th, join ArMA's virtual Zoom doctors' lounge at 6:30pm and hear directly from the ArMA Advocacy Team. Physicians, physicians-in-training, and even non-members are invited to: ?? Get updated on upcoming healthcare policy ?? Discuss recent trends of healthcare consolidation ??? and weigh-in on Medicare's physician fee schedule! Listen to our experts and take their intel back to YOUR practices! Register below to be invited to the Zoom session on Oct 17th @ 6:30pm. We hope to see you, but more importantly, we hope to hear you there! https://lnkd.in/gBN3H94e #arizonamedicine #arizonadoctors #doctorslounge #townhall #healthcarepolicy #consolidation #medicare #physician #privatepractice #patientcare #opentoall #medicinenews

World Mental Health Day: October 10th Embracing Vulnerability and Resilience At 39, I’ve been living with Bipolar II, ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety for as long as I can remember. Looking back, I wish I knew as much about mental health back then as I do now. Today, we’re fortunate to have more resources and understanding than ever before—whether it’s online talk therapy medication, TMS, EDM, or the incredible advancements in understanding how the brain works. When I was younger, we didn’t fully grasp the complexity of things like chemical imbalances, or how brain functions can differ from one person to the next. At one point when I was around 7, my mom had me tested for lead poisoning. Today, we know about things like neurodivergence, which shows how some brains are literally wired differently, and why conditions like Bipolar disorder and ADHD can make life feel like a constant uphill battle. It’s empowering to finally have a deeper scientific understanding of why I experience the world the way I do, and it helps me manage my mental health with more compassion and patience. Living with these challenges hasn’t been easy. The highs and lows can be overwhelming, making daily life feel unmanageable. As I got older, I learned how to put on the "mask" and I struggled in silence, wishing I had asked for help sooner. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s okay to not be okay all the time. It’s okay to seek help, to lean on others for support, and to use the tools we have today to navigate our mental health. We’re lucky to have more resources now than ever before and to better understand how conditions like mine are rooted in the way my brain is wired. It’s not a weakness; it’s part of who I am. And with the right support, it’s something I can manage and have learned how to thrive despite the challenges. Talking about mental health isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about breaking down barriers. It’s about creating a space where people like me can share their struggles without fear of judgment. Every story we share moves us closer to a world where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health. To anyone out there silently fighting their own battles—know that you are not alone. Your journey matters. Your feelings are valid. And there are people who care deeply about your well-being. Let’s continue to support one another, listen without judgment, and advocate for the mental health resources we all deserve. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can create a world where mental health is a priority for everyone. MH Screening: mhascreening.org Resources: https://lnkd.in/d-JCxa6W Arizona Psychiatric Society American Psychiatric Association Mental Health America of Arizona Mental Health Matters Arizona Coalition NAMI Valley of the Sun Peer Advocate ARIZONA PEER AND FAMILY COALITION Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Kid in the Corner #WorldMentalHealthDay #BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters

(Arizona News) Innovative Therapeutic Art and Music Program Launching for the First Time Inside a U.S. Prison BUCKEYE – At Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, the Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis, in Buckeye, showed the public how it has turned a 1,200-square-foot unused area inside a 130-bed housing unit for male inmates diagnosed with serious mental illness, into a stunning art and music healing studio. The recently renovated area now offers gorgeous, lively painted murals and neon lights to help inmates begin the process of healing from trauma, much of which led to their destructive behaviors. Approximately 250 inmates will cycle through the Art of Our Soul program this year, in small groups, with each group spending about five weeks creating art, guided by facilitators who have lived experience. National TV personality Brandon Lee, founder of Art of Our Soul, has found an unlikely partner for his dynamic and upbeat model of helping those with complex behavioral health challenges process and move beyond trauma. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) has not historically been seen as a place for healing. But in January 2023, things changed when Governor Katie Hobbs brought in Ryan Thornell as Director of the state’s prison system. Thornell’s approach to corrections is twofold: empower staff with the tools they need and focus on balancing public safety while prioritizing the individual needs of those in the ADCRR’s care or custody. This approach is finding favor. Says Thornell, “I was brought in to reimagine the correctional system within Arizona. Outdated operations and traditional challenges, along with intense scrutiny, were leaving inmates and staff frustrated and institutionalized. So we’ve established a roadmap for transforming our correctional system through modern and innovative practices, directly impacting the individuals who work and live within it. The Art of Our Soul program is a prime example.” Art Of Our Soul’s founder, Brandon Lee, a survivor of child sexual abuse, in long-term recovery, upholds the belief that the act of making art helps people create their own life changes. “When you combine music and art together, you help open the frontal lobe and release energy,” says Lee. His program, studied by major health plans for its innovative modalities combining art and music, is showing success at reducing anger, stress, anxiety, and depression. Environment, Lee believes, plays an important role in how we think, how we act, and how we feel. “If you put a good person in a bad environment, be it prison, or a family structure, that person will likely end up creating bad behaviors. ... Brandon Lee Mercy Care Art Of Our Soul Ryan Thornell, Ph.D. Click here for the rest of the article: https://lnkd.in/gcpc4B29

?? Scholarship deadline is THIS Saturday Aug. 10 at midnight! https://lnkd.in/gT_eK4gU Join us for PSI's Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychopharmacology Training with Dr Saira Kalia, MD for PSI's Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychopharmacology Training in September! Provided by perinatal psychiatric experts, this evidence-based 6 CME-credit training is focused on on psychiatric prescribing during pregnancy and lactation. This training is designed for psychiatric prescribers who have previously completed at least 14 hours of perinatal mental health training. This advanced training combines expert presentation with case studies, group discussion, and practical examples. It is an interactive, case-based advanced seminar, covering differential diagnosis, medication challenges, and your questions. The phenomenal Dr. Saira Kalia, will be generously donating her teaching stipend to provide scholarships! Apply here by August 10 by midnight AZ time: https://lnkd.in/gT_eK4gU

Breaking Down Barriers: The Power of Language in Mental Health One of the first steps towards ending the stigma around mental health is to stop using the word "stigma" itself. By continually associating mental health with stigma, we inadvertently reinforce the negative connotations that come with it. Instead, let's shift our language to foster understanding, acceptance, and support. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and it's time we treat it as such. When we change the way we talk about mental health, we change the narrative. This means speaking openly about our experiences, educating others, and promoting a culture of empathy and respect. Let's start by: Using terms like "mental health challenges" or "mental health conditions" instead of "mental health stigma." Encouraging conversations that normalize mental health discussions as part of everyday life. Supporting initiatives that advocate for mental health awareness and resources. Together, we can create an environment where mental health is understood, accepted, and supported, just like physical health. It's time to break the cycle and build a more inclusive and compassionate world. #MentalHealth #EndTheStigma #MentalWellbeing #MentalHealthAwareness #LanguageMatters