Dr. Christopher G. Fichtner, M.D., C.P.E., F.A.C.P.E., L.F.A.P.A., is clinical professor and interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.
He joined the faculty in 2013 as UCR was transitioning from its collaborative medical training program with UCLA to its full four-year medical school. Involved from the outset in developing the UCR psychiatry residency training program in collaboration with Riverside County, Dr. Fichtner has a longstanding interest in public-academic partnerships to improve mental health services. In alignment with the UCR School of Medicine mission, he and his colleagues at UCR Health are working to expand healthcare access for underserved communities through telepsychiatry and physician workforce development.
October is mental health awareness month where we focus on raising mental health and education awareness. When asked how anxiety has changed among adults since the pandemic in his recent interview, Dr. Fichtner responded, “Patients who were anxious before the pandemic have been more anxious during the pandemic for a number of reasons, including the threat of illness, the stress of its impact on friends and family, and changes in routines at home involving children, school and daycare. While many have appreciated the opportunity to work from home, we have also been reminded that it is important to stay connected, and that missing the opportunity to connect can also be a source of anxiety.” View the article to read more.