Psychosis Clinic discusses mental health with Delvin Breaux | Louisiana inspired

For former Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux, a chance encounter changed his life — for the better. A friend simply asked him about his mental state.

The friend didn’t know Breaux was having such a hard time, but Breaux took it as a sign to ask for help.

It was one of the best decisions he ever made, Breaux said. He continued to see therapists and address his mental health issues, then was able to play in the NFL and Canadian Football League. The 34-year-old said he is in a much better place.

Now retired, he is sharing his story to help others like him. Â

But before that, things were bad. When Breaux was just 9 years old, he tried to take his own life. Growing up in a chaotic household with domestic violence had negative effects on his mental state, Breaux said.

During college, he suffered the onset of psychosis and depression after severe neck injuries in high school.

Recently, Breaux was at the Broad Theater with the New Orleans Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic, which was showing a mental health documentary and hosting a resource fair. The Every Mind Matters Roundtable is a documentary series and the clinic will release new episodes every month.

The Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic provides assessment and treatment for patients ages 12 to 35 who have recently begun experiencing psychosis. The clinic is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Tulane University. Getting treatment from a general mental health clinic is not the same as getting specialized treatment, according to the center’s website.

“Three decades of research show that specialized treatment as soon as possible after a first episode of psychosis improves an individual’s outcomes across the board,” the site says.

Black men talking about mental health

The first half of “Every Mind Matters” featured Breaux and musician Walter (Kango Slim) Williams from the group Partners-N-Crime. The two New Orleans natives discussed their experience overcoming mental challenges such as psychosis, anxiety and depression.

“I think it’s huge for black men to talk about mental health,” Breaux said. “Growing up we were always taught that you have to be strong all the time.â€

The screening was part of the clinic’s psychosis awareness campaign, Clear Answers for Louisiana Mental Health, which aims to educate system-wide on the importance of early intervention. About 3 in 100 people are affected by psychosis, which often makes people feel disconnected from reality. Some symptoms include hearing or seeing things that others cannot, paranoia, and delusional thoughts.

Serena Chaudry, director of public health for the Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic, said the series will consist of monthly discussions between mental health patients, advocates and experts. The next performance will be from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday, June 27 at The Broad Theatre.

Each episode will be posted on the Clear Answers to Louisiana Mental Health YouTube page after the show.Â

At the May 17 screening of the documentary at the Broad Theater, both Breaux and Williams watched with the audience and briefly answered questions afterward. Partner organizations such as Oceans Behavioral Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness provided medication keychains, informational pamphlets and more.

After the show, Williams was asked about sharing his story.

“It was like sitting down with a therapist,” he said. “It felt good to have the one-on-one and that release. A really good feeling.â€

Williams’ psychosis was triggered by the death of his son in 2022, he said.

Recovery is real

While psychosis can happen to anyone, Chaudry said that, with help, it’s more than possible to still live a happy and fulfilled life. The Every Mind Matters Roundtable Series also features testimonials from patients at the clinic.Â

“We want people to know that psychosis is real, but so is recovery,” Chaudry said.

Branesha D. Muller, author and clinic patient, said that when she started experiencing psychosis she didn’t know what was going on, but she knew something was wrong. She said since her time at the Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic, her recovery has felt smooth.

“I think some people don’t realize that we can do everything they can do. We just carry an extra bag,” said Muller, whose debut collection of poems, Authentic Vulnerability, reflects her own experience. with psychosis.

While the clinic offers patients various resources, there is a greater need for more. In the future, the organization plans to open psychosis clinics in South Central Louisiana to allow more specialized providers to fill the gaps and get more people the help they need.

“If we can engage the community in general, public figures in particular, to talk about their experience,” Chaudry said, “then that can help destigmatize the subject of psychosis.”

It’s important for society to make sure future generations don’t fall into the same traps as the people who came before, Breaux said.

“I’m tired of hearing, ‘They didn’t teach us this back in the day,'” Breaux said. “I don’t want to hear all that! It’s time to make a change.”

After the show, Breaux hosted his second annual mental health boot camp at Dillard University. In partnership with the Center for Racial Justice, the camp developed wellness workshops and fitness activities for athletes ages 10-21.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts, please contact the suicide prevention hotline at 988. You can also text “HELLO” to 741741. These resources are free, confidential and available 24/ 7.