Neil M. Richtand, MD, PhD

Neil M. Richtand, MD, PhD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides expert, compassionate mental health care services to UC San Diego undergraduate and graduate students.

He has particular expertise in college mental health issues. His experiences as a PhD graduate student, medical student, and faculty member teaching and advising graduate and medical students has afforded him a broad perspective on the effects of the pressures of academic life on mental health. He also has extensive experience in recognition and treatment of psychiatric conditions that may emerge during college years, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders, and psychosis. He can help students with these conditions as well as others, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and substance use disorders.

Prior to joining UC San Diego Health in 2018, he was Chief of the Psychiatry Service at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, where he directed research programs to improve our understanding and treatments for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, drug dependence and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Richtand is also a former faculty member in the departments of psychiatry and neurobiology at the University of Cincinnati and was an attending psychiatrist at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.

He is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of the Society of Biological Psychiatry and Society for Neuroscience.

Dr. Richtand completed residency training in psychiatry and a fellowship in molecular neurobiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree and doctorate in biochemistry from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Outside of work, he enjoys cycling and swimming.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see College Mental Health and Psychiatry.