Jan. 6, 2026
Media Advisory: Conference to address treatments and care for perinatal and child and adolescent patients living with psychiatric disorders
- What: "Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Pediatrics: Advancing Mental Health for Women & Children" conference
- When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Hacienda del Sol, Tucson
- Details and registration: Psychiatry.arizona.edu/PPP. Photos available upon request.
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Psychiatry, Banner Behavioral Health and the Arizona Psychiatry Access Lines are hosting the "Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Pediatrics: Advancing Mental Health for Women & Children" conference on Jan. 17 to empower primary and behavioral health care providers to confidently care for perinatal and child and adolescent patients living with psychiatric disorders.
"Every day, we see the human cost of a system that simply does not have enough trained clinicians to meet the tremendous needs of pregnant and postpartum individuals, children and families" said conference presenter Dr. Saira Kalia, an associate professor of psychiatry at the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson and the Arizona Perinatal and Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line director. "In the United States, one in five women suffer from maternal mental health complications, including addiction, and, one in five youth between the ages of three and 17 in the U.S. suffer from an emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder."
The conference includes renowned national and local physicians presenting on a range of topics including treatment for substance use disorders in mothers and adolescents, anxiety in youth, innovative treatments for perinatal mental health, and public health approaches to state-wide scaling of mental health care for children and mothers.
"This conference is vital for addressing the alarming shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health specialists for perinatal and pediatric patients in need," said Dr. Jordan F. Karp, a professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson. "Through interactive case discussions and practical clinical and treatment updates, we aim to expand providers' knowledge to increase availability of care and healing for families. These conditions are treatable, and we can bridge the gaps in care by sharing evidence-based information to address the exponential growth of psychiatric disorders."
Media contact:
Jamie Manser
Department of Psychiatry
520-270-3213
jlmanser@psychiatry.arizona.edu
Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.