European Initiative Pushes For Psychedelic Therapy Reform To Address $669B Mental Health Problem: The Goal Is To Gather 1 Million Signatures

The European Commission has officially registered the PsychedeliCare initiative, which advocates for establishing a transnational legal framework for psychedelic-assisted treatments for mental health disorders. As Green Market Report outlined, this European Citizens’ Initiative aims to create progressive regulations around psychedelic therapies across the E.U.

Aiming For Legal Framework On Psychedelic Therapies

"We are scientists, medical doctors, therapists, neuroscience researchers, creative and marketing professionals, artists, policy experts, human and civil rights activists, spiritual practitioners and educators. Together, united behind science and knowledge of EU laws, the goal of our initiative is to enable Europeans to access safe, regulated and conscientious Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy", the group states on its website.

The PsychedeliCare initiative seeks to promote expert consensus on the standards of care in psychedelic-assisted therapy, covering therapist training, ethical guidelines and safety measures. It also calls for E.U.-funded research to strengthen the evidence on the safety and efficacy of psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions.

Economic Impact And Unmet Needs

Organizers of the initiative highlighted the high economic toll of mental health disorders in the E.U., estimated at $669.4 billion annually by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. With 50% of psychiatric patients not responding to current treatments, the initiative underscores the need for innovative approaches like psychedelic therapies. The E.U. has approved just one psychiatric treatment in the last three years, compared to 68 new oncology treatments.

Global Momentum For Psychedelics

The PsychedeliCare organizers point to international developments, including the U.S. FDA’s breakthrough therapy designations for MDMA and psilocybin, as well as Canada’s and Australia's advancements in allowing psychedelic-assisted therapies for anxiety and depression. The initiative hopes to encourage the E.U. to follow suit and incentivize mental health R&D.

Signature Collection: The Next Step

To move forward, PsychedeliCare must collect 1 million signatures within a year, meeting the minimum thresholds in at least seven E.U. countries. If successful, the European Commission will be required to respond and consider potential legal action. The initiative also seeks to position Europe as a global hub for psychedelic therapy innovation.

Cover image made with AI