Legislation aimed at addressing the mental health crisis among veterans in Virginia, potentially through psychedelic therapies, has cleared its first major hurdle. The state’s Senate Education and Health Committee voted 13–1 on Thursday to advance a bill that could fund clinical trials involving substances like psilocybin and MDMA, designated as “breakthrough therapies” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A Step Toward Addressing a Crisis
Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D), the sponsor of SB 1101, emphasized the urgency of the issue during a subcommittee hearing earlier this week. Veterans, she explained, face disproportionately high rates of suicide and mental health struggles.
“This legislation is an effort to address crisis points in mental health as well as the trauma that so many of our veterans are struggling with,” Hashmi said.
The bill, officially titled the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, seeks to create a dedicated fund to support:
- Clinical trials for breakthrough therapies.
- Expanded patient access to innovative treatments.
- Training for healthcare professionals in administering these therapies.
While the text of the bill does not explicitly mention psychedelics, its focus on therapies such as MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psilocybin for depressive disorders highlights the role these substances could play. Both drugs have been granted breakthrough therapy status by the FDA, signaling their potential for treating severe mental health conditions.
Senate Committee Support and Public Backing
Senator Barbara Favola (D), who chairs the subcommittee that initially reviewed the bill, described the legislation as a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention among veterans. Speaking before the full Education and Health Committee, Favola underscored the critical need for solutions.
“It’s incredibly important because veterans, as we know, are suffering disproportionately from suicide,” she said. “We really don’t have enough knowledge, services, or—I would say—counselors in this area.”
Advocacy groups and mental health organizations have also voiced their support. Alison Messick of the Navy SEAL Foundation testified earlier in the week, describing the bill as a potential game-changer for veterans’ quality of life.
“Virginia has consistently shown up for its nearly 700,000 veterans,” Messick said. “This legislation is an opportunity to build on that legacy.”
Challenges in the House
SB 1101 is not Virginia’s first attempt to address veteran suicide through innovative treatments. A similar bill, SB 229, passed the Senate last year but failed to make it through the House. Advocates hope the updated version will have better luck, particularly given growing awareness of the mental health challenges faced by veterans.
Nationally, between 17 and 44 veterans are estimated to die each day from suicide or substance-related deaths. Senator Hashmi called these numbers “unacceptable” and said the state has a moral obligation to explore all viable options.
The National Landscape of Psychedelic Research
Virginia’s proposed legislation reflects a broader trend in the U.S. and abroad. Psychedelic therapies have gained attention in recent years as research has shown promising results for treating conditions like PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and traumatic brain injury.
In 2019, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to MDMA for PTSD, allowing for accelerated research and regulatory review. Similarly, psilocybin was granted the same designation for its potential to treat certain depressive disorders. The federal Right to Try Act also permits patients with terminal conditions to access investigational drugs not yet approved for general use.
Advocacy groups such as Reason for Hope and the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition believe Virginia could lead the way in implementing these treatments on a state level.
“By investing in Breakthrough Therapies, Virginia establishes a roadmap for other states to follow, directly improving outcomes for those who have served our country,” the groups said in a joint statement.
What’s Next for the Bill?
Now that the Senate Education and Health Committee has advanced the bill, it moves to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for further consideration. The legislative process will determine whether Virginia can take this step toward a groundbreaking mental health initiative for its veterans.
For now, advocates remain optimistic. The unanimous support from the Education and Health subcommittee and the overwhelming majority approval from the full committee suggest growing recognition of the need for bold action.
Advancing research into psychedelic therapies is not just about science; it’s about saving lives. For veterans who have sacrificed so much, this legislation offers hope for better days ahead.