Depression
Depression
Posted on Mar 30, 2023
Missouri House backs bill requiring state research on psychedelics to treat depression and PTSD
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The suicide rate among veterans in Missouri is nearly double the state rate and one of the highest in the country.
In hopes of helping veterans and other Missourians facing mental health issues, the Missouri House advanced a bill Wednesday that would require the state to conduct a study on using psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care.
Several lawmakers said they were “passionate” about seeing the study go forward during Wednesday’s debate. Among them was Rep. Aaron McMullen, R-Independence, a veteran who served in a combat unit in Afghanistan.
“Substance abuse and suicide are escalating in the veterans community,” McCullen said, quoting a letter from the Grunt Style Foundation that serves veterans. “While psilocybin is not a panacea for every issue, it represents a first true scientifically-validated hope that we have to address this crisis.”
In hopes of helping veterans and other Missourians facing mental health issues, the Missouri House advanced a bill Wednesday that would require the state to conduct a study on using psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care.
Several lawmakers said they were “passionate” about seeing the study go forward during Wednesday’s debate. Among them was Rep. Aaron McMullen, R-Independence, a veteran who served in a combat unit in Afghanistan.
“Substance abuse and suicide are escalating in the veterans community,” McCullen said, quoting a letter from the Grunt Style Foundation that serves veterans. “While psilocybin is not a panacea for every issue, it represents a first true scientifically-validated hope that we have to address this crisis.”
Missouri House backs bill requiring state research on psychedelics to treat depression and PTSD
Posted from news.stlpublicradio.org
Suicide
Mental Health
Depression
PTSD
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."More than 1,000 people take their own lives in Missouri every year, putting the state about 25% above the national average for suicides.
Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-O’Fallon, who sponsored a similar bill, said the state’s high suicide rate — and the elevated rate among veterans — makes it a life-and-death issue.
Two years or longer for FDA approval is a long time to wait, he previously stated.
“The folks that are coming back from war, that are in desperate need of care, a lot of them aren’t going to be around in three years,” Lovasco said. “We’ve got, what 20-something veterans per day committing suicide? That’s a tremendous amount of loss while we wait for the government to do some paperwork.”
..."More than 1,000 people take their own lives in Missouri every year, putting the state about 25% above the national average for suicides.
Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-O’Fallon, who sponsored a similar bill, said the state’s high suicide rate — and the elevated rate among veterans — makes it a life-and-death issue.
Two years or longer for FDA approval is a long time to wait, he previously stated.
“The folks that are coming back from war, that are in desperate need of care, a lot of them aren’t going to be around in three years,” Lovasco said. “We’ve got, what 20-something veterans per day committing suicide? That’s a tremendous amount of loss while we wait for the government to do some paperwork.”
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