Reason for Hope

Reason for Hope is a non-profit #mentalhealth and suicide prevention #advocacy organization focused on advancing safe and affordable access to psychedelic therapies. Reason for Hope’s work includes educating government officials and various stakeholder groups on the scientific and legal landscape for #psychedelic medicine, developing pilot programs for those most in need, and building broad coalitions of patient advocates, mental health professionals, and other experts to develop and advocate for #policy reforms needed to reduce barriers and safely increase access to psychedelic and other #BreakthroughTherapies. Reason for Hope’s co-founders and multi-disciplinary leadership team includes Lieutenant General Martin Steele, USMC (ret), Lynnette A. Averill, PhD, and Brett Waters The Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition is a national member-based #Veterans organization that brings together the leadership of various Veteran Service Organizations, researchers, and veteran mental health providers with expertise in psychedelic medicine to exchange ideas and advocate for increased veteran-focused #research funding and safe, affordable access to psychedelic therapies for Veterans and their family members.

Over the weekend I had the privilege of attending the first Mystic Summit being held on the Future of Mental Health on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, BVI. It was an extraordinary summit focused on #breakthroughtherapies , mental health research, humanitarian efforts, drug policy reform, emerging industry insights, and more - an event with truly diverse expertise and perspectives. Over the course of 4 days the event gathered global leaders, experts, investors, and advocates on the front lines of this work to share knowledge and inspire action as we envision a bold new paradigm for mental health in the world. As a representative of the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition it was an incredible opportunity to be part of a Veteran panel alongside my brothers Tom Satterly and Ryan Roberts as we shared our personal stories of trauma, healing, and advocacy work at the summit. I left the summit with renewed energy and excitement for what lies ahead. The connections made will lay a foundation for the future and the strategies forming hold immense potential, not just within the US but within a larger unified global context. I will be excited to share more from this summit as momentum and outputs begin to emerge. Also if you get the chance to present at a conference in a tropical location wearing a tank top - take it 🏝️☀️😁 #VeteranMentalHealth #GlobalMentalHealth #HumanitarianLeadership #MentalHealthReform #CollaborativeChange Brett Waters Joseph Peter Barsuglia, PhD Kathryn Walker All Secure Foundation Jen Satterly Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research Revitalist Logan Davidson Texans for Greater Mental Health Reason for Hope

The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA is holding a public meeting on September 6th to explore new treatment options, including psychedelics. The meeting can be attended both virtually and in-person in Washington, DC, and is a valuable opportunity for patient advocates, veterans, researchers, and others to share their experiences and insights. Swipe through our post to learn how you can get involved and make your voice heard. For those interested in speaking, please visit the registration page via the link in the comments and select the "With Request to Provide Public Comment" option listed. The deadline request to present stakeholder comment is 12 p.m. ET on September 3rd. Speakers will be notified by September 4th. #ptsdawareness #veteranmentalhealth

Enough is enough. Our veterans deserve to receive treatment at home. The work hasn't stopped. Let's make sure they get it. #mdmaassistedtherapy #veteranmentalhealth

Reflecting on the incredible experience of emceeing the 2nd Annual #BetheOne Symposium during the American Legion National Convention, I’m deeply moved by the passion, innovation, and commitment shared by everyone involved. This event wasn’t just about discussing veteran suicide prevention—it was about driving real change and fostering hope for our community. Throughout the day, we heard from remarkable speakers like Waco Hoover who highlighted the progress in eroding the stigma around mental health, and Christopher Molaro who pointed out how technology can fill the critical gaps in follow-up care that often leave our veterans vulnerable. Hearing Nick Howland share the tangible impact of The Fire Watch, which has reduced veteran suicides by 27% in certain Northeast Florida counties, was a powerful reminder that community-driven initiatives can and do save lives. Also deeply meaningful to me, I had the privilege of hosting a fireside chat with Rajeev Ramchand on the role of #breakthroughtherapies, in addressing the devastating issue of veteran suicide. Bringing this discussion into the heart of The American Legion is a monumental shift—one that underscores the Legion’s commitment to exploring every possible avenue to support our veterans. Rajeev’s insights from his work with the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute were both eye-opening and inspiring. We’re at a critical juncture where these innovative therapies can revolutionize the treatment of PTSD and other mental health conditions. The fact that the American Legion is willing to bring these conversations to the forefront shows a bold commitment to ensuring that every veteran has access to the comprehensive care they need. This symposium wasn’t just about sharing knowledge; it was a call to action. It was a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in this mission—whether it’s advocating for new treatment options, supporting community initiatives, or simply being there for our brothers and sisters in arms. I encourage everyone to read the full recap of the symposium and share it widely. Together, we can continue this momentum, spark vital conversations, and push for the changes that will save lives. Let’s all commit to #BeTheOne who makes a difference. Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition Reason for Hope Henry Howard #VeteranMentalHealth #EndVeteranSuicide #BetheOne #VeteranSupport #BreakthroughTherapies #MentalHealthMatters

We are devastated by the FDA’s plainly incorrect decision to reject the approval of MDMA-assisted therapy. There is an urgent need and clear demand from the Veteran community for new PTSD treatments, and MDMA-AT has demonstrated safety and profound efficacy in clinical trials based on protocols negotiated and agreed upon with the FDA as part of a Special Protocol Assessment. It is hard to see how the FDA’s decision can be justified when it has plenty of tools to ensure a slow, cautious roll-out of this novel treatment, which could have at least been conditionally approved with required safety data collection and post-marketing studies, as well as a more restrictive risk mitigation strategy. Instead, Veterans will continue to be forced to leave the country or to seek underground providers for MDMA-AT or other psychedelic therapies, which is a tragic and unconscionable outcome. While we remain confident MDMA-AT will eventually be approved, there is no doubt that this decision will lead to more unnecessary suffering and lives lost. However, Reason for Hope and the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition, whose members and partner organizations have tirelessly advocated to make their voices heard, will continue doing whatever it takes to help get this across the finish line. Read more at the link in the comments. #mdmatherapy

Per a trusted government source, FDA will be announcing its decision on #MDMA-assisted therapy tomorrow afternoon. While "decision" could mean formally announcing a time extension....I'm hopeful this means we'll get a conditional approval. FDA usually doesn't make an announcement for a denial/complete response letter, so it's a #reasonforhope. Reason for Hope Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition Heroic Hearts Project Healing Breakthrough The Mission Within Balanced Veterans Network Grunt Style VETS, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, Inc Sunstone Therapies Psychedelic Alpha Adam Marr Lynnette A. Averill, PhD Peter Hendricks Jesse MacLachlan Jesse Gould Juliana Mercer Manish Agrawal Ryan Roberts Tommy Aceto Angela Terhune Hargrove

“Many experts and organizations, including Brian Dempsey, the government affairs director at the Wounded Warrior Project, and Brett Waters, an attorney and cofounder and executive director of non-profit advocacy group Reason for Hope, have advocated for the benefits of this innovative approach to treating PTSD. With the FDA’s decision looming, Bergman wrote to the president that “fortunately, hope is on the horizon." #mdmatherapy #ptsdtreatment #veteranmentalhealth https://lnkd.in/efxV2HSs

We are optimistic that the FDA will (at least conditionally) approve MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and urge it to do so by August 11. While we are bracing for a potential delayed decision, such a delay will only lead to more unnecessary suffering and lives lost. Every day, between 17 and 44 Veterans are lost to deaths of despair, including suicide and overdose, often stemming from unresolved trauma experienced during their service. We have an urgent need for new #PTSD treatments, and MDMA-AT has demonstrated safety and profound efficacy in clinical trials based on protocols negotiated and agreed upon with the #FDA as part of a Special Protocol Assessment. Beyond the data, #Veterans who have not benefited from existing treatments have shared compelling testimonials of healing with MDMA-AT, both through clinical trials and real-world settings. However, Veterans should not be forced to leave the country or seek underground providers for MDMA-AT or other #psychedelictherapies. The FDA has plenty of tools to ensure a slow, cautious roll-out of this novel treatment, which we expect will be conditioned on extensive post-marketing data collection and research requirements. In addition to the stringent risk mitigation restrictions that FDA has already proposed, safety could be enhanced through an added requirement of remote video monitoring and recording to deter and adjudicate therapist misconduct, alongside establishing an independent misconduct reporting system. Yet, even without such additional measures, we believe it is clear that the benefits of this treatment outweigh the risks. #MDMA4PTSD

In a display of bipartisanship, 80 members of Congress from both parties have come together to send letters urging President Joe Biden and the US Food and Drug Administration to further consider studies on MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. Their goal is to expedite access to a treatment they believe could benefit veterans. Swipe through for an overview, or read the full story at the link in the comments. #mdmatherapy