If you, or someone you know, is in need of additional support, please call 000 or any of the crisis support helplines listed below:
- SANE Australia (for people living with a mental illness) – call 1800 187 263.
- beyondblue (for anyone feeling depressed or anxious) – call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
- Lifeline (for anyone having a personal crisis) – call 13 11 14 or chat online.
- Suicide Call Back Service (for anyone thinking about suicide) – call 1300 659 467.
- Australian Government/Department of Health ‘Head to Health’ webpage is a central platform for digital mental health resources.
Can I access psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Australia?
In February 2023 the TGA approved Mind Medicine Australia’s application to reschedule psilocybin and MDMA from Schedule 9 (prohibited substances) to Schedule 8 (controlled medicines) of the Poisons Standard. With this rescheduling, psychiatrists who are given approval from the TGA are now be able to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for PTSD. These changes came into effect July 1st, 2023.
You can find out more about it in the TGA’s announcement and MMA’s media release here.
Psychiatrists who have undergone specialist training in psychedelic-assisted therapy can apply to become an Authorised Prescriber of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for PTSD. To do so, they’ll be required to make a submission to a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) that outlines details of their proposed approach including protocols, clinical rationale, training and more. Once approved by an ethics committee, they will then apply with the TGA for Authorised Prescriber status, which will allow them to prescribe and administer MDMA and psilocybin under the restrictions outlined above.
Why did the TGA reschedule MDMA and psilocybin?
The TGA rescheduled MDMA and psilocybin in response the MMA’s rescheduling applications, submitted in March 2022.
This decision was a reversal from the TGA’s interim decision in September 2022, which opposed rescheduling.
The final decision noted the large number of public submissions, showing the incredible need for new treatment options, and a presentation made to the TGA in November by Professor David Nutt.
Watch the presentation from Professor Nutt with MMA founders Tania de Jong AM and Peter Hunt AM below for details of how it happened.
How can I find a psychiatrist to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapies?
If you have a diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression or PTSD and you are interested in learning more about your options for treatment with psychedelic-assisted therapy, please speak to your treating physician.
What do I do if my doctor isn’t able to provide guidance?
You can direct your doctor to contact Mind Medicine Australia. We will provide them with further information so they understand the current landscape in Australia and can help you effectively.
I’d like to participate in a clinical trial, how can I apply to do so?
If you are interested in being involved in clinical trials, we have listed all upcoming trials in Australia and New Zealand here. If you meet the eligibility requirements for any of these, follow the directions on the page to contact the group running the specific trial you are interested in for further information on participating.