CURESZ on Campus 

University of Cincinnai Student Feature: Olivia Milliron
University of Cincinnati 2021-2022 Club President: Tyson McGuire

The CURESZ Foundation is passionate about offering students the information they need to work with their psychiatric physician and emerge from disability or avoid it altogether. CURESZ spreads the word that schizophrenia is a treatable brain disorder, and there should be no hesitation to beginning treatment for any medical condition, including a psychiatric illness.

Students age 15-25 are at the greatest risk for developing schizophrenia and related disorders. CURESZ is also committed to educating students about comorbidities including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicidal ideation. We hope to enable students to see the warning signs in themselves and others. We also hope students will choose to be a friend to their peers who are struggling.

CURESZ is currently looking for committed students who share our vision to spread our message of hope through founding a student club at their high school or college. Our first CURESZ club launched in 2020 at the University of Cincinnati, led by CURESZ volunteer and psychology major Lizzie Kozarik.

Club attendees will learn important information about brain disorders and find a safe space to share their personal stories. Our CURESZ board members will be available to answer students’ questions and to share medical advice with any student who needs it.

CURESZ clubs will find creative ways to reach out to the community and share a message of hope: psychiatric disorders are treatable today and, far from being the end of your life,  with treatment you can lead a healthy, productive and vibrant life.

CURESZ clubs spread the message that HOPE CURESZ.

Hope stands for Hear Observe Process and Engage. In other words:

  1. Hear. Listen to your loved one. Often, people with schizophrenia say things that do not make logical sense. They may be having delusions in the form of persistent false beliefs, such as that someone plans to harm them or that they are being watched. They may also be experiencing hallucinations, hearing voices or seeing things that do not exist. The CURESZ Foundation has resources to help. Our website has information which describes how a person behaves with untreated schizophrenia.

 

  1. Observe. Observe your loved one’s behavior. Your loved one may start to distance and isolate themselves or become extremely agitated. Abnormal changes in mood may be an indicator of schizophrenia. Withdrawal, lack of interest in things a person used to love and lack of self-care regarding personal hygiene are symptoms of schizophrenia. The CURESZ Foundation website has videos and articles explaining the behavioral traits associated with schizophrenia.

 

  1. Process. Start the process of finding appropriate treatment for your loved one. It is important to reach out to a trusted counselor, therapist or physician for appropriate care. Early intervention is key to a successful recovery. The CURESZ Foundation website lists psychiatrists throughout the country trained at administering anti-psychotic medications.

 

  1. Engage. Engage support services for your loved one. Building a support team is essential to your loved one’s full recovery. The CURESZ Foundation offers caretaker to caretaker support in the form of a mentor/mentee program. We also offer information on other organizations offering support and highlight individuals who have successfully recovered and are thriving with schizophrenia.

For more information about CURESZ clubs, and to join our virtual monthly meetings, please contact Bethany Yeiser at bethany.yeiser@curesz.org or via CURESZ here.