European Citizen Initiative in support of psychedelic therapies to launch in 2025

There are 150 million people in Europe living with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While there are treatments available, there has been no innovation in this area for over 50 years, and the treatments do not work for everyone.

For example, 10 to 30% of patients with major depressive disorder are resistant to currently available treatments, highlighting an urgent need for new therapies.

Adding to this, data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that mental health conditions cost the European economy up to €600 billion a year.

However, in recent years, increasing scientific research has shown psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy as an innovative and effective treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This mounting evidence has led to changes in policy and psychedelic access in countries such as Australia and Canada, where authorised patients are now able to access safe, legal psychedelic therapies.

Against this backdrop, the European Citizens’ Initiative for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies has launched to urge the EC to support the future roll-out of psychedelic-assisted therapies in European healthcare systems.

The initiative is backed by 24 organisations, associations, researchers, therapists, patients, and citizens from 17 European countries, that are supporting the right of EU citizens to access affordable psychedelic-assisted therapies.

From 14 January 2025, the campaign will have one year to collect one million signatures from at least seven EU Member States in order to formally call for action from the EC. If the campaign collects the signatures successfully, the EC will have six months to respond to the initiative.

“With the launch in January begins a year-long campaign that can bring hope to millions of European citizens suffering from mental health problems,” commented Théo Giubilei, Founder of the PsychedeliCare Initiative.

Dr Rayyan Zafar, Chair of the recently launched Psychedelic Industry UK, which is also backing the initiative, commented: “On behalf of Psychedelic Industry UK, we welcome the launch of the First European Citizens’ Initiative for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies, a pivotal step in addressing the growing mental health crisis in Europe.

“With the mental health burden rising across the continent and an increasing body of scientific research supporting the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT), public support for this initiative is essential.

“Psychedelics, when used in a controlled, therapeutic setting, have shown remarkable potential in treating conditions such as depression, PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric disorders which have reached epidemic proportions globally. However, regulatory barriers continue to limit their integration into modern healthcare.

“Public engagement can be a powerful catalyst for change, as we’ve seen in the UK with cannabis regulations. A groundswell of public support was instrumental in shifting political conceptions, leading to regulatory reform.

“A similar trajectory is possible for psychedelic therapies, but it requires broad public endorsement to pressure policymakers into action.

“This initiative presents an unparalleled opportunity for regulatory authorities to engage with the growing evidence base supporting psychedelic-assisted therapies. By doing so, we can develop a comprehensive regulatory framework that not only facilitates access to these treatments under medical supervision but also ensures the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

“We have witnessed the strides made in North America and Australia where medical and regulated access models for psychedelics are being developed and are in fruition. Europe must not be left behind.

“The time has come for our regulatory systems to reflect the scientific advancements in the field, many of which were discovered here, to improve patient access to life-changing therapies, and help tackle the escalating mental health crisis in Europe.

“This initiative is not just about signatures. It is about creating a movement that encourages policymakers to embrace innovation and evidence-based solutions in mental health care.

“I urge the public, professionals, and advocates across Europe to support this campaign.”

Organisations from across France, Croatia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Greece, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Estonia, and Poland are backing the campaign.

To find out more and to join the network, visit the official initiative website psychedelicare.eu.