The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine is one of the clinical departments of the UP College of Medicine and the Philippine General Hospital. It is dedicated to providing quality clinical services, excellent training and education and innovative researches in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health. The beginnings of the department dates back to 1917 when the individual and concerted efforts of local and foreign psychiatrists started to shape the practice of psychiatry in the Philippines. In 1964, through the pioneering efforts of the department’s founding Chairman, Dr. Baltazar V. Reyes, the Section of Psychiatry obtained its autonomy and became the Department of Psychiatry. Since then, the department has flourished and continued to expand. With unwavering commitment, the department has produced competent psychiatrists who have become leaders in the field of psychiatry, whether as clinicians, teachers or researchers.

A full range of clinical services and programs are offered by the department. These include outpatient services, acute inpatient services, holding beds, emergency and crisis interventions and a Day Care program. Services are available for both child and adult patients. These are delivered in a multidisciplinary, comprehensive and compassionate manner to enhance the well-being of persons with psychiatric illness and their families. The services that the department offers have served as models of exemplary mental health care.

The department has a long tradition of academic excellence. A wide array of educational experiences and balanced training programs are offered, with ample exposure to psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. At present, the department has several accredited training programs, all offering unique opportunities for professional growth: General Psychiatry Residency Program, Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Fellowship in Social and Community Psychiatry. Fellows and residents are trained to be proficient in the diagnosis and management of all major psychiatric disorders. They attain the necessary knowledge, skills and professional attitudes expected of a good psychiatrist.

The research activities of the department further advance the body of knowledge in the field of psychiatry and mental health. The research efforts enhance and complement the clinical services and training activities of the department. Researches in the field of clinical psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, biological psychiatry, community psychiatry and health systems are regularly conducted and encouraged. The department’s faculties, fellows, and residents have been recipients of numerous research awards and grants. Research activities are geared towards the pursuit of knowledge and scientific integrity with ethical dimensions.

At present, the department has in its roster twenty-two psychiatrists and one clinical psychologist, whose breadth of expertise are instrumental in accomplishing the department's vision and mission. Diversity of mental health disciplines and experiences among the faculty provide professional stimulation to enhance the training of fellows, residents and students. Majority of the department's faculty have earned distinction and recognition for being at the forefront of modern psychiatry. They have served leaders in promoting advocacy for mental health and have been instrumental in pushing for a national policy for mental health.

Under the current leadership and direction of Ma. Cynthia R. Leynes, MD, the department marked its four decades of leadership in psychiatry and mental health in year 2004, as it continues to pursue its commitment of providing the highest quality of patient care, cutting edge education and training and excellent research work.