WCPO: CURESZ educates, removes stigma surrounding schizophrenia
CURESZ Foundation aims to educate the public about schizophrenia, remove stigma around the disorder
In 2007, Bethany Yeiser was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but it wasn't something she came to terms with easily at first.
She eventually accepted the diagnosis after she understood that schizophrenia is a brain disorder, not a weakness or moral failing, and after she found a doctor and medication that helped get her life back on track. She even graduated from the University of Cincinnati, with a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology.
Now, she’s working to educate others about schizophrenia through the CURESZ Foundation, which she founded with Henry Nasrallah, MD, the doctor who got her on the path to recovery. Nasrallah is a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the UC College of Medicine.
CURESZ, which stands for Comprehensive Understanding via Research and Education into Schizophrenia, works to correct misconceptions about schizophrenia and eliminate the stigma surrounding psychiatric brain disorders as it inspires hope among patients and their families.
Reaching college students is especially important because people most often begin to display symptoms of schizophrenia in their late teens and early 20s, said Peirce Johnston, MD, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the UC College of Medicine and a UC Health psychiatrist. He’s also a CURESZ Foundation board member.
“There’s nothing more lonely, I think, than being someone who’s suffering from any mental illness and not having support, or just being misunderstood by friends, family, the community,” Johnston says. “So to have a resource where they feel they can be at home, where they feel understood, where they can ask questions, is vital.”
Read more about Bethany Yeiser's inspiring story in UC Magazine.
Featured photo of Bethany Yeiser by Colleen Kelley.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Stay up to date on all UC's COVID-19 stories, or take a UC virtual visit and begin picturing yourself at an institution that inspires incredible stories.
Related Stories
UC celebrates record graduating class at commencement
April 25, 2024
UC celebrated its doctoral hooding and master's recognition ceremony at Fifth Third Arena as part of its three-day commencement for the largest graduating class in university history.
2024 Daniel Drake Medals to be awarded April 27
April 24, 2024
The UC College of Medicine will award three people with 2024 Daniel Drake Medals April 27.
The graduating class of 2024 shares creative works across 15...
April 24, 2024
DAAP’s Graduating Class of 2024 shares creative works across 15 interdisciplinary degree programs at DAAPworks.