Improving the lives of people with schizophrenia
With the right treatments and support, people with schizophrenia can and do recover. The Coordinating Centers of Excellence Stories of Recovery and Hope video shares how the programs and practices of the BeST Center, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence and the Ohio Program for Campus Safety & Mental Health are promoting recovery and instilling hope.
Unfortunately, many people affected by schizophrenia do not have access to the most effective treatments. The BeST Center’s mission is to change this by providing customized training and other resources to individuals and organizations that help people live successfully with schizophrenia:
BeST Center Practices
- FIRST Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis
- Family Education and Support
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis
- Integrated Primary and Mental Health Care
- Pharmacotherapy for Schizophrenia
- Cognitive Remediation
To learn more, please view Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center Practices
To discuss customized BeST practice training and consultation, please contact:
Ruth H. Simera, M.Ed., LSW
Executive Director, Coordinating Centers of Excellence
330.325.6670
rsimera@neomed.edu
Stay tuned for the 2023 Dr. Fred and Penny Frese Virtual Lecture! If you would like more information, please contact Lucky Tisch at ltisch@neomed.edu.
2022 Drs. Fred and Penny Frese Virtual Lecture, “Community-Building and Collaboration Among Students With Psychosis” by Cecilia McGough, Founder and Executive Director, Students With Psychosis, and Students With Psychosis Team Members: Dominique, Internship Coordinator; Allison Antcliff, Student Leader Coordinator; Laura Kordowski, Executive Board Member; Emeka Chima, Secretary, Executive Board Member; and Rei, Executive Board Member.
View the May 24, 2022, lecture here.
Cecilia McGough is a mental health activist, founder and executive director of Students With Psychosis, a non-profit organization with a global reach, media consultant and former radio astronomer living with autism and schizophrenia.
At the age of 17, Cecilia co-discovered a celestial object that emits regular pulses of radio waves along with other electromagnetic radiation and her findings were published in the Astrophysics Journal. After making such an important discovery, she studied astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State University.
Although Cecilia had experienced symptoms of schizophrenia throughout her life, she did not receive a formal diagnosis until her sophomore year of college. After receiving treatment and during her recovery journey, she decided to share her experiences and to help others facing similar situations. In 2017, she delivered a TEDxPSU Talk aimed at reducing the stigma associated with schizophrenia. Since that TEDxPSU Talk, Cecilia’s story has been viewed more than 30 million times across multiple international platforms. She also founded and serves as executive director of Students With Psychosis, a non-profit that empowers student leaders, advocates and their families through community-building and collaboration. Students With Psychosis provides more than 160 hours of virtual programming each month at no cost to its members, with facilitated programming and opportunities to get more involved each day.
The Drs. Fred and Penny Frese Lecture honors the late Fred Frese, Ph.D., and Penny Frese, Ph.D., by sharing stories of individuals living successfully with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses and how their loved ones support their recovery.
Learn more about SCHIZOPHRENIA The Myths, the Realities and How to Help
Tips for Engaging Individuals with Psychotic Illness in Treatment
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO FIRST-EPISODE PSYCHOSIS
Mental Health Resources for Recognizing and Responding to First Episode Psychosis
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND OTHER ALLIES IN RECOVERY
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
Coordinating Centers of Excellence Mental Health Resources for Members of the LGBTQIA+ Community
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR COVID-19
Important Resources for Mental Health During COVID-19
BeST Tips for Supporting Your Loved One During COVID-19*
Stress Can Worsen Psychotic Symptoms_ BeST Tips for CBT-p Informed Strategies for Responding*
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR BLACK, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR
Structural Disadvantage and Culture, Race, and Ethnicity in Early Psychosis Services: International Provider Survey by Nev Jones, Ph.D., Sarah Kamens, Ph.D., Oladunni Oluwoye, Ph.D., Franco Mascayano, M.P.H., Chris Perry, L.F.M.T., Marc Manseau, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H.
Mental Health Resources for Black, Indigenous People and People of Color
SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES
Coordinating Centers of Excellence Suicide Prevention Resources
CONTACT US
BeST Center
Email: bestcenter@neomed.edu
BeST Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center
NEOMED Coordinating Center of Excellence