Christina van der Feltz-Cornelis, Chair psychiatry and epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences, and Hull York Medical School
Christina joined the University of York as one of the 60th Anniversary inspirational research leaders with a Chair of Psychiatry and Epidemiology in 2018.
In addition, she is honorary consultant psychiatry at TEWV NHS Foundation Trust, and since 2022 she is honorary professor at the Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London.
email: christina.vanderfeltcornelis@hyms.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Christina:
Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?
I conduct research leading to better understanding, diagnosis and treatment of common mental disorders and the interface of somatic symptoms, for example in Long COVID. I develop digital decision aids for people in non-specialist settings to deal with mental health problems, for example as part of a suicide prevention program.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
When the results really bring care for patients forward. Making the patient voice heard in research. Teaching medical students about what research can do to improve the practice of medicine.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
Psychiatry forms a moving frontier for medicine as concepts develop there that can benefit medicine as a whole. I find addressing that challenge immensely inspiring.
What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?
I hope my work actually changes mental health care and prevention for the better.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
It is all about being in a flow. For me that means moving, having fun, meeting friends, caring for my loved ones. And keep learning.