Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry

05/19/2026

Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., and Kristie Collins, LPC-S, with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry, tell us about how the roles of psychiatrists and counselors differ in mental health care.

05/15/2026

Ashish Sarangi, M.D., a Texas Tech Physicians adult and geriatric psychiatrist, gives us three quick ways we can support our own mental health! 🧠

05/13/2026

Sarah Mallard Wakefield, M.D., psychiatrist and chair of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry, gives it to us straight with the green flags and red flags in trendy mental health advice.

05/11/2026

The Texas Tech Physicians Psychiatry clinic offers a variety of specialty services for patients with unique mental health care needs.

⚪️ Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers relief from Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder—without medication. Using FDA approved technology, TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate areas of the brain to improve symptoms.

⚪️ Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective procedure performed under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally inducing a brief seizure to alleviate severe symptoms of several mental health conditions.

⚪️ Perinatal mental health services are provided for patients before, during and after pregnancy.

⚪️ Geriatric mental health services specifically for adults over the age of 60 who suffer from a mental or neurological disorder.

To explore our specialty services, visit https://f.mtr.cool/lyeygsuffd

05/07/2026

James Barnett, Ph.D., psychologist and assistant professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry, tells us about how focusing on our mental health can improve our overall mental and physical wellness.

05/05/2026

"Mental health care is health care, in fact it may be the most important part,” says Sarah Mallard Wakefield, M.D., psychiatrist and chair of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry. “As in all health care, you are more successful when you can see the person and not just the diagnosis.”

05/01/2026

Our very own, Dr. Poorvanshi Alag, joined KCBD to discuss how sports gambling could lead to addiction. Because daily fantasy sports and prediction markets are viewed more as a game of skill and not chance like in traditional betting. Read more on why Dr. Alag says this distinction could get dangerous. Read more here >>

Sports books are illegal in Texas, but some sites are able to navigate state law through daily fantasy sports and prediction markets. With a business that's only getting bigger, it's raising concerns about how these services could lead to a gambling addiction.

04/29/2026

Have you ever wondered why you feel worse after scrolling through social media?

📱Short-form content delivers constant novelty. Your brain doesn't get time to process before the next input arrives.
📱It keeps your nervous system activated. Even passive scrolling can maintain a low-level
"alert" state, especially with emotionally charged or unpredictable content.
📱Comparison happens automatically. The brain naturally evaluates what it sees and even when you're not consciously comparing, curated content can shift your mood.
📱It disrupts attention and mental clarity. Rapid switching between content can fragment your attention.
📱It often replaces what actually helps. Scrolling can displace sleep, movement or real connection.

If you've stopped your scrolling long enough to read this post, this is your sign to put your phone down and give yourself and your 🧠 a breather.

04/24/2026

In the era of "quick fixes," we're here to remind you to take a deep breath and focus on what actually helps your mental health: small steps every day and the right support systems in place! Mental health is a ✨daily✨ journey!

04/23/2026

How does Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation work? TMS technology uses a treatment coil to stimulate the neural activity of brain structures found to be related to MDD and OCD. The coil uses a magnetic field to deliver electric pulses to stimulate the neurons and improve the symptoms of OCD and MDD. To learn more about TMS and fill out our interest form, visit >> https://f.mtr.cool/ymxbzmdviv

04/17/2026

CPAN and PeriPAN are statewide initiatives funded by the Texas Legislature to support the mental health of Texans. These programs provide free mental health consultation services for clinicians, helping expand access to care for:
• Children and adolescents
• Pregnant and postpartum individuals

⚫ Primary care providers statewide can access the Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN) for assistance with behavioral health care for their child and adolescent patients.

🔴 Reproductive care providers statewide can access the Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network (PeriPAN) for assistance with perinatal mental health care for their patients.

Learn more about these programs here >> https://f.mtr.cool/zklyzzclxf