San Diego Psychiatric Society

What is the San Diego Psychiatric Society?

The San Diego Psychiatric Society, a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association, represents over 400 psychiatrists, who are the primary mental health advocates for quality patient care. The organization works to improve the public’s awareness of mental illness and increase legislative and financial support of psychiatric care. Members serve in community mental health organizations, and advise the legislature on mental health issues.

What is a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosis, treatment & prevention of mental and emotional problems. A psychiatrist is a licensed physician, trained to understand both the physical and emotional components of illness and is qualified to order laboratory tests, prescribe medications, and treat psychological problems. These qualifications are necessary because serious physical illness can produce symptoms that resemble those of mental illness. With an understanding of psychological, physical, and social aspects of health and illness, psychiatrists are prepared to treat the whole person. Mental and emotional disturbances can have a number of causes. Therefore, diagnoses are best made by a psychiatrist, the only health professional with specific education and experience in the medical treatment of mind and body.

What kinds of services do psychiatrists provide?

As physicians, psychiatrists are qualified to diagnose and treat many emotional
problems. There are many types of treatments, including:

• Individual psychotherapy
• Medication
• Group Therapy

• Other therapeutic modalities

What is mental illness?

Mental illness, or psychiatric illness, is not a sign of weakness or a lack of courage. It is a disorder that causes physical and psychological problems. These problems can make it difficult for a person to get along with family or friends or to perform at work. All too often, the stigma of mental illness makes people reluctant to seek help. But, new therapies, medicines and technologies are being discovered every day. Many mental illnesses and emotional disturbances can now be treated and some even cured.

San Diego Psychiatric Society Community Services

Educate – Advocate

In unison with the California Psychiatric Association, the San Diego Psychiatric Society works directly with state senators and assembly representatives, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, to provide support for legislation that protects the mentally ill. Our legislative committees work vigorously to promote new laws to expand access to mental health services, protect patient confidentiality, prevent discrimination against the mentally ill, and protect the basic rights and human dignity of those afflicted with mental illness.

The San Diego Psychiatric Society works closely with the San Diego County Medical Society and other organizations, including the San Diego branches of Mental Health America and The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), to provide advocacy and support for the mentally ill and their families.

Educate the public by providing factual information to help eliminate the stigma often associated with mental illness is a primary goal of SDPS. We do this through involvement in health fairs, our website and with our speakers’  bureau.

Members of the San Diego Psychiatric Society are available to speak to community groups on a variety of subjects. To request a speaker for your organization, please call the San Diego Psychiatric Society at (858) 279-4586.

Referral Network

The San Diego Psychiatric Society provides physician referrals through our website and the San Diego County Medical Society.