Advocating for Legislative Change
Veterans want access to psychedelic therapy–and VETS is leading the charge.
More than 20 veterans die by suicide each day, with some studies estimating that the number may be as high as 44. There have been more than 125,000 reported veteran suicide deaths since 2001.
When VETS formed in 2019, our mission was straightforward – to help Special Operations Forces (SOF) veterans receive psychedelic-assisted therapy treatments – but when we were flooded with grant applications far beyond our capacity, that mission quickly expanded.
Each year, we are only able to support a fraction of the many qualified applications we receive, which means there are tens of thousands of veterans we cannot serve. Therefore, VETS is committed to publicly advocating for access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for all veterans.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is in high demand due to its proven success among the veteran community. Meeting this demand requires more than just the efforts of a single organization like VETS – it requires regulatory changes and increased awareness, enabling psychedelic-assisted therapies to be more accessible to veterans who need them.
Our Public Policy Approach
Nonpartisan, fact-based, and focused on results.
In order to make psychedelic-assisted therapies available to all veterans, restrictions to research must change, and access and affordability barriers must be addressed. State and federal funding is necessary for both.
The barriers to accessing these transformative therapies are significant. Stigma, regulation, and bureaucracy make progress difficult. Most scientific studies on these treatments are not supported by traditional biomedical research, and when they are, the veteran population is largely excluded.
VETS works with lawmakers across the political spectrum to address these challenges and more. We engage at state and federal levels of government to support legislation that:
- Enables legal access to the professionally-administered therapeutic use of psychedelic compounds.
- Decreases the bureaucratic burden on research institutions.
- Provides appropriations for research.
Our Advocacy Efforts Include:
California Senate Bill 1012: Regulate Psychedelics and Psychedelic Therapy
Learn More ›Section 723 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024
Learn More ›H.R. 3684: Douglas Mike Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act of 2023
Learn More ›Texas House Bill 1802: Psychedelic Research for Veterans
Learn More ›
Veteran Suicide is a Public Health Crisis.
Our veterans have risked their lives serving our country, and for many, the dangers they faced have a lasting impact. All too often, when their time of service is complete, veterans struggle during the transition to civilian life.
These post-service challenges have led to a veteran suicide epidemic that is destroying families and communities across our country. It also undermines our military’s morale, recruitment, and prowess. The urgent need for new approaches to veteran mental health is evident.
Harm Reduction is Our Guiding Principle
At VETS, we emphasize that psychedelic compounds are powerful psychoactive substances, and not a means for recreation. They should always be administered under professional medical supervision and with properly informed consent.
Our mission is to demonstrate the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies, while leading the way in best practices for safe and successful treatment. Responsible, nonpartisan policy change allows for better understanding of psychedelic modalities and can provide a framework around which to base future clinical access.
