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Learn about Mental Illness

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Treatment

Specialized Programs:

OASIS

OASIS (Outreach and Support Intervention Services) is an early intervention program for the treatment of psychosis. Our patients are young adults and older adolescents who are experiencing their first psychotic episode. Our clinic is located at Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro, NC.

STEP

STEP (Schizophrenia Treatment and Evaluation Program) is a clinical treatment program for those who have a diagnosed psychotic disorder, most typically schizophrenia. We have an inpatient unit at the UNC Neurosciences Hospital and two outpatient clinics, one at the UNC Neurosciences Hospital and one at Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro, NC.

STEP Research Clinic at the North Carolina Psychiatric Research Center

The STEP Research Clinic focuses on maximizing recovery for those living with serious mental illness through state-of-the-art clinical care, and research studies to advance knowledge and improve treatment options.

Brushes with Life

Brushes with Life: Art, Artists, and Mental Illness is a creative arts program for people in treatment at OASIS and STEP; members of Club Nova, a local clubhouse for persons with mental illness; and other select community programs in the Chapel Hill area.

Learn About Mental Illness

We've assembled some resources to help you learn more about mental illness.

Resources

A Family Guide to Severe Mental Illness

Books and Media

Myths About Mental Illness

Housing for People with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

Just What Is a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness?

True Stories

Case Management

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Brain Health

Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids can be quite good for brain function.

CECMH-Omega3-Flyer.pdf

Myths View all myths

Street drugs can make people feel better, make symptoms go away.

If a psychotic break is triggered by substance abuse, it will go away once the substance use stops.

Substance use can cause psychosis that will resolve when the substance is cleared from the user's system, particularly stimulants, cocaine, and cannabis. It can also trigger an underlying psychotic disorder that hasn't manifested yet, that subsequently may never go away. That's a big risk. Marijuana in particular may be an environmental risk factor for psychosis in some biologically predisposed individuals.

Marijuana is an interesting drug, because the different chemicals in it have different effects on the brain. THC causes hallucinations and negative symptoms, while cannabidiol can have anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic effects. This is why many people with psychosis claim marijuana helps them feel better, although simultaneously it may be making their symptoms worse. (Source: OASIS Early Psychosis Toolkit)