Event featuring music and art planned to raise awareness about psychosis

Carolyn Scofield scofield@tulane.edu
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Serena Chaudhry, DSW, and Ashley Weiss, DO, lead the Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic, which is based at Tulane University School of Medicine. (Photo by Sally Asher)

Early intervention following a first episode of psychosis can improve a young patient’s chances of recovery significantly. In fact, the earlier the treatment the better.  CALM: Clear Answers to Louisiana Mental Health is the public-health arm of the Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic (EPIC-NOLA) at the Tulane University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. CALM aims to increase awareness about psychosis, reduce stigma surrounding psychosis, and provide a CLEAR path to early treatment for psychosis.

CALM will be hosting its inaugural psychosis awareness event, In My Mind, on October 7th. The event will feature artistic endeavors from those with lived experience of psychosis. The event is the first of what Ashley Weiss, DO, MPH, assistant professor of psychiatry at Tulane School of Medicine and Medical Director of EPIC-NOLA, hopes will be an annual event.

“Those with lived experience of psychosis, and their families, are our communities’ best educators about psychosis,” said Weiss. “For them to share how creativity is a part of their overall recovery process is powerful. We hope we address misconceptions about psychosis and who is impacted by psychosis”.

Tickets for In My Mind are on sale now. The event will be a night of music, art and awareness. Each $150 ticket includes signature cocktails, open bar and a curated menu. There’s also a $100 non-alcohol option. Attendees will have the opportunity to buy art at the event, and everyone will leave with special C.A.L.M. swag.

Musical guests include The Nabil Muquit Quartet and Joshua Veal of Dr. Romance. The money raised by this event funds key elements for recovery that are not funded by traditional insurance systems, such as scholarships to help continue education, tutoring services to succeed at school, and social outings to practice skills learned in therapy.

Psychosis is usually associated with an emerging severe mental illness such as bipolar disorder or one of the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. People experiencing episodes are often misunderstood or stigmatized, yet international research shows early treatment and comprehensive intervention in the first two to five years can have a positive impact on the long-term clinical outcome for serious mental illnesses.

“Recovery from psychosis is real when young people get treatment early,” said Serena Chaudhry, assistant professor of psychiatry at Tulane School of Medicine and Public Health Director for EPIC-NOLA. We have so many patients returning to and graduating from high school and college; many are building careers and establishing themselves as successful writers and artists. Every day I am inspired by their courage and resilience.”