Mission

The Schizophrenia Treatment and Evaluation Program, or STEP, is a specialized treatment program for people with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. The program was founded in 1993 and is housed in the Department of Psychiatry, UNC School of Medicine and UNC Hospitals. STEP provides specialized inpatient and outpatient treatment to persons with schizophrenia and related disorders.

The mission of STEP is threefold:

Service: STEP provides psychiatric and psychosocial services to individuals with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.

Education: STEP trains psychiatry residents and graduate students in the mental health field in both inpatient and outpatient settings. We also offer public education through an annual symposium and public speaking engagements.

Research: STEP collaborates with the many research endeavors at UNC to further our understanding of psychotic disorders and the best ways to treat them.

STEP includes various programs:

• A specialized inpatient unit in the UNC Neurosciences Hospital;
• The STEP Clinic, an outpatient clinic based in the residency training program in the UNC Department of Psychiatry;
• The Community Mental Health Clinic, an outpatient clinic located in Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro;
• Brushes with Life, an art gallery that provides a venue for artists to show their works and education about mental illness in an effort to reduce stigma;
• OASIS, a specialized outpatient program for adolescents and young adults with early psychosis;
• The STEP Symposium, an annual event that provides education to mental health professionals and the public about topics related to schizophrenia