04.04.09 16th Annual STEP Symposium

16th Annual STEP Symposium
"Making It In the Community: What Works?"

2009 STEP Symposium Brochure and Registration Form, click here >>.

CHAPEL HILL - Schizophrenia is an illness that is twice as common as Alzheimer's disease. More than 2 million Americans cope with this brain disease, which affects the ability to process information, organize thoughts and perceive the environment. An estimated one out of 100 people will develop schizophrenia in their lifetime.

To help raise awareness among allied medical personnel, individuals with schizophrenia and their families, and the public, the Department of Psychiatry of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in conjunction with Central Regional Hospital is sponsoring a symposium on schizophrenia, the Sixteenth Annual Schizophrenia Treatment and Evaluation Program (STEP) Symposium, on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at The William and Ida Friday Center at UNC, 8:00 am - 1:00pm.  Breakfast buffet and lunch will be served.

The title of this year's symposium is “Making It in the Community: What Works?” Featured speakers will present an update on UNC’s Center of Excellence in Community Mental Health, mental health reform in North Carolina, Assertive Community Treatment, effective social work practices benefiting people with schizophrenia and their families, as well as an update on current effective medications.

A panel discussion will also be held to discuss community living. Our guest speakers include John Gilmore, MD, UNC Professor and Vice Chair for Research and Scientific Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and the Director of the new UNC Center of Excellence in Community Mental Health; Harold Carmel, MD, with Executive Psychiatry, PLLC, and the former President of the North Carolina Psychiatric Association; Lee James, MS, with XDS, Inc.; Barbara Smith, MSW, LCSW, Co-Director of the UNC Center of Excellence; and Brian Sheitman, MD, UNC Professor and Medical Director for the UNC Psychotic Disorders Inpatient Unit and Center of Excellence.

CME and CEU credit offered.

We request a $25 registration fee. Scholarships will be available.

For more information or to register, contact Janice Linn at 919-966-8990, or email at jlinn@med.unc.edu.