WASHINGTON (TNND) — Beryl Billiot, a Marine veteran from Louisiana, is using her story to spread awareness about the importance of mental health care for those who served in the Marines.
Billiot joined the Marines in 1985 at just 17 years old.
“I really felt a desire to serve,” Billiot said.
He first produced liquid nitrogen for aircraft and then became an oxygen breathing analyst for pilots.
“I had to learn things I never learned,” Billiot said.
After injuring his knee in 1991, Billiot was discharged from hospital due to illness.
“I was angry. I was so angry. I didn’t want to go out,” Billiot said.
Upon returning home, Billiot continued to have health problems. PTSD, vision loss, and even difficulty speaking. So last year he finally went to the hospital.
I was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2023,” Billiot said.
Surgeons told Billiot that his cancer was caused by exposure to chemicals during his service.
“Doctors seemed to believe it had been around for about 20 to 25 years,” Billiot said.
However, even after the surgery, the anxiety did not go away. Then a friend recommended me, Tulane University Brain Health Center.
“He said, I think we need to call them and look into this,” Billiot said.
Dr. Gregory Stewart, the center’s medical director, said the program was originally started to treat former NFL players with brain injuries. But it has since expanded to help veterans and first responders.
“You look at veteran suicides and what do you do about it,” Stewart said.
Although all treatment is individualized, Stewart said Billiot’s journey is similar to that of many veterans who leave the military.
We’re trying to do everything we can to help them understand what’s going on and start this healing process,” Stewart said.
Although he was skeptical at first, Billiot said he became a different person after completing the program.
“It opened up a whole new world for me and was life-changing,” Billiot said.
That’s why he’s urging all veterans with mental health issues to seek help.
If you can’t help yourself, how can you help others? ” Billiot said.
Stewart said about 250 people have gone through the evaluation process since expanding the program to treat veterans and first responders.
