In July 2016, Bethany partnered with Henry A. Nasrallah, MD to establish the CURESZ Foundation (Comprehensive Understanding via Research and Education into SchiZophrenia). Dr. Nasrallah serves as Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Today he serves as Executive Vice President and Scientific Director of the CURESZ Foundation, and Bethany serves as CEO and President.
The CURESZ Foundation offers valuable resources including information about cutting edge and underutilized medications for schizophrenia to help patients emerge from disability and achieve the highest quality of life possible.
Today, Bethany also works as an author, motivational speaker, and advocate for the mentally ill. Her goal is to represent people with schizophrenia and to encourage those who have yet to experience full recovery.
Speaking
Bethany published her memoir, Mind Estranged, six years ago (July 2014). Since then, she has shared her story with the Vera French Foundation, Value Behavioral Health in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the “Seminar on Poverty and Homelessness in Cincinnati” and other events and meetings around the country. She has been interviewed at conferences for physicians in Cincinnati (October of 2014) Las Vegas (December of 2014) and Chicago (April of 2015) on Sirius XM Doctor Radio (May 2015) and for Brain Waves, sponsored by the One Mind Institute (2016). In 2016, Bethany presented the Michael F. Avallone, D.O., Opening Session for the 108th Clinical Assembly of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA). She also presented a Grand Rounds lecture at the University of Cincinnati in 2016. In 2018, she served as keynote speaker for the annual conference sponsored by Metrocare Services and NAMI in Dallas, Texas.
Bethany also presents to churches, religious audiences, and at other community events. In October of 2015, she shared her story of homelessness and social reintegration with students and faculty at Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana) who work to empower impoverished communities. She has spoken for Cincinnati’s City Gospel Mission, and for chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) throughout Ohio, and at the Pennsylvania statewide annual NAMI conference (2018).
At the University of Cincinnati, Bethany speaks regularly for third-year medical students, as a part of their rotation in psychiatry. She has also shared her story for neuroscience students in the PhD program at the University of Cincinnati, and for UC’s resident doctors. Every year, Bethany presents her story for a UC law school class focusing on mental health law.
Bethany’s Blog
Bethany maintains a blog in Psychology Today magazine (January 2018- present) focusing on her own story of mental illness and homelessness, including her experiences volunteering with the homeless and mentally ill.
Bethany also maintains a blog on this site focusing on her own story of mental illness and homelessness, including her current work volunteering with the homeless and mentally ill. Her blog includes a series called “The Homeless Experience,” another series called “Experiencing Schizophrenia,” and other essays.
Bethany advocates for the “Housing First” initiative, a housing program for the homeless that saves money through reducing jail stays and emergency hospitalizations (see Money Talk, the Revolving Door, and Criminalization vs. Care).
Bethany’s goal is to inspire those suffering from mental illness and their families, to educate the community, and to help mental health providers better understand what their clients may be experiencing. She stresses that schizophrenia is not only a mental illness, but also a physical brain disease, and that full recovery is possible today on medications.
Bethany’s Interests
In her free time, she plays the violin and viola, swims, and practices Mandarin Chinese. She also teaches piano lessons.
To get to know Bethany better, check out her Facebook page.
