p.a.t.
Barbara Loop, editor-in-chief of the women’s magazine ‘Annabelle’, has created a podcast series in which she talks to older women, whom she calls ‘Queens”. On 9 September, she interviewed me. Since our talk went live on 21 September, it has become somewhat of a hit, garnering up to 1,000 clicks a day.
Interest in psychedelics seems to be huge; that’s what I mostly talked about. I’m delighted, because it shows that the time has come to actively campaign for psychedelic-assisted therapy (P.A.T.) to become legal in Switzerland.
Legal means that the by now around 90 specialised therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and other medical professionals will have the right to work directly with psychedelic substances, also under supervision. Psychedelic medicines such as LSD, psilocybin or ayahuasca (“pharmahuasca”), as well as MDMA, have proven to be safe and effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, just like they are helpful in palliative care.
Eligibility must be thoroughly assessed, but one need not necessarily have undergone a series of failed conventional therapies. This is likely to increase the promising results of P.A.T., as therapists are no longer only dealing with worst cases. It is, of course, hugely rewarding to be able to help someone who could not be helped anywhere else. At the same time, there are many other potential clients in difficult situations for whom less effort may be required to improve their circumstances – and thereby those of our entire society.
It is of the utmost importance that the oversight of P.A.T. remains with the Federal Office of Public Health, the FOPH. Every case must be reported, all treated clients represented (anonymously), along with their diagnosis. After one year and/or upon completion of a P.A.T., a detailed report must be submitted on the steps taken towards recovery and the progress achieved. This will hopefully provide additional confirmation of the effectivity of all P.A.T., whilst the authorities retain control.
Not all therapies involving psychedelics are successful; adverse events do, albeit rarely, occur. These must also be rigorously reported in written form. Health insurance providers should calculate the annual cost of conventional therapies and derive an average figure, on the basis of which a decision can be made as to which costs for a P.A.T. can be covered.
Presently, it is important to raise awareness of these demands, ideas and the methodology of psychedelic therapy itself amongst the public at large, and to explain P.A.T. them in detail so that acceptance increases,.
We’ll keep at it and count on your support!
Warm regards in cooling weather;
Susanne
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