MDMA-assisted therapy will be offered to Northern Rivers locals suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by the devastating 2022 floods.
The psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is part of a stepped care program, which is an evidence-based system for treating mental health, involving a hierarchy of treatments, from least to most intensive.
Aiming to support around 200 people, Step 1 includes a five-session arts-based program which engages participants in creating compassion-focussed artworks. If participants still have PTSD, they may be eligible for Step 2, MDMA-assisted therapy.
So far, there have been very few clinical trials focused on recovery from disaster-related PTSD. None have focused on a stepped care model, or on psychedelic-assisted therapy, making this clinical trial a world-first.
The clinical trial was pitched by researchers at Southern Cross University who have been awarded more than $3.8 million for the program from the Albanese Government as part of the 2022 Clinical Trials Grant Activity and the Medical Research Future Fund.
Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care, has championed the program. Butler said, “In a country often ravaged by bushfires, floods and cyclones, the world-first research by Southern Cross University will look for new and innovative ways to help communities recover following natural disasters.”
The project is being led by Professor James Bennett-Levy, the Chief Investigator on a PAT clinical trial and is developing PAT-based research at Southern Cross University. Bennett-Levy said, “Our research after the 2017 floods showed that mental health problems were compounded if people were self-critical and blamed themselves…Prior research has shown that MDMA-assisted therapy is an effective evidence-based treatment for PTSD and enhances self-compassion.”
It is hoped the findings will provide additional treatment options for supporting the mental health of those impacted by future disasters.
Southern Cross University is recruiting a Clinical Trials Manager for the Lismore-based Healing Climate Trauma Project.
Source: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/38-million-to-help-northern-rivers-community-heal-after-2022-floods?language=en
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