Two respected healthcare systems in Tucson continue their partnership in their efforts to enhance our community’s access to comprehensive behavioral health services and expand their efforts to provide a complete continuum of care for people in need. Carondelet Behavioral Health in Partnership with El Rio Health offer services to residents 18 years old and above who are suffering from a wide range of behavioral health issues. To further their commitment to this population,

Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital has undergone enhancements and capital investments to their Behavioral Health unit to assist in the care of their patients.

“This collaboration is an important resource for local Tucsonans in need of intervention and support for these types of issues,” said Monica Vargas-Mahar, Carondelet Market CEO. “Our two organizations work together to care for these patients. We bring a one-of-a-kind solution for the community’s behavioral health needs. Our partnership with El Rio Health demonstrates the care and compassion we at Carondelet Health Network continue to emulate since the Seven Sisters of Carondelet of St. Joseph brought their mission to Arizona 145 years ago.”

The partnership began on October 1, 2024, and El Rio Health now delivers psychiatric inpatient services at Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital and offers 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 Health CEO. “The collaboration between El Rio Health 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.”

The Carondelet Behavioral Health in Partnership with El Rio Health collaboration will allow two pillars in the healthcare community to continue their efforts to address a very stigmatized, underserved population not only on the west side of Tucson but for all of Pima County and surrounding areas.

Carondelet Health Network and El Rio Health provide robust programming for their patients. Aside from therapy groups, they offer “Prune and Groom” plant therapy, pet therapy, arts and crafts, yoga and meditation, and music therapy to name a few.

“Tucson is experiencing a severe shortage of behavioral health resources, and the people who require these resources remain a population in Pima County that has unmet needs to aid in their recovery,” said Vargas-Maher. “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 Health Chief of Behavioral Health Integrated Services. “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 provide an integrated approach by a team of licensed behavioral health specialists who are necessary to address chronic behavioral health issues. Together, we continue to work to create individualized care plans to our patients aimed at managing mental and behavioral health conditions and meeting a patient’s healthcare goals. Among the areas of care provided are: