New Behavioral Health Partnership for Tucson

Tucson, AZ – Two respected healthcare systems in Tucson have joined forces in a new partnership that will enhance our community’s access to comprehensive behavioral health services and establish a complete continuum of care for people in need. Carondelet Behavioral Health in Partnership with El Rio Health will offer services for residents ages 18 and above who are suffering from a wide range of behavioral health issues.

“This collaboration will be a wonderful new resource for local Tucsonans in need of intervention and support for these types of issues,” said David Ziolkowski, Carondelet St. Mary’s CEO. “Our two organizations have been working independently to care for these patients for decades; and together we bring a unique one-of-a-kind solution for the community’s behavioral health needs.”

Beginning October 1, 2024, El Rio will deliver psychiatric inpatient services at Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital and offer on-call coverage at Carondelet St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Hospitals.

“I am excited about how this partnership is going to benefit the community,” said Clint Kuntz, El Rio CEO. “The collaboration between El Rio and Carondelet will increase community capacity for behavioral health services for patients requiring crisis psychiatric services in an acute setting, with a seamless transition to outpatient behavioral services upon discharge.”

A 2021 study reported by Making Action Possible for Southern Arizona (MAP), ranked Tucson 6th among peers, tied with Phoenix and San Antonio, with 5.2 poor mental health days per month as reported by residents. According to the CDC, more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.  Fifty seven million people visit physician offices each year with mental disorders as the primary diagnosis, and 5.8 million people wind up in hospital emergency departments every year for treatment of mental disorders, behavioral and neurodevelopmental issues. Mental health inequities cost an estimated $477.5 billion annually. The World Health Organization estimates that anxiety and depression alone cost the global economy $1 trillion each year in lost productivity. 

“Tucson is experiencing a severe shortage of behavioral health resources, and it remains a very underserved and stigmatized population in Pima County,” said Lora Mott, Carondelet Director of Behavioral Health. “Substance abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, serious psychological and mental disorders as well as suicide ideation are among the issues residents face in our community. Our collaboration brings a new approach to the care of people afflicted by these issues.”

“Our teams of expert, experienced and caring professionals will work together to create a health home for our patients and families,” said Vanessa Seaney, El Rio Chief of Behavioral Health and Integration . “This care will address chronic disease management, lifestyle change, health behaviors, mental health and substance misuse conditions, life stressors, crises, and stress-related physical symptoms.”

At Carondelet Behavioral Health in Partnership with El Rio Health, we believe providing an integrated approach by a team of licensed, behavioral health specialists is necessary to address chronic behavioral health issues. Together, we will work to create an individualized care plan aimed at managing mental and behavioral health conditions and meeting a patient’s healthcare goals. Among the areas of care provided will be: