Written Testimony in Conditional Support of SB1101
To the Honorable Members of the Virginia General Assembly,
I am submitting this testimony in conditional support of Senate Bill 1101, introduced by Senator Ghazala Hashmi, which seeks to establish the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Advisory Council. I am a veteran (Captain, United States Marine Corps) and a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) specializing in psychedelic medicine at a local clinic, Alchemy Wellness. I strongly support the bill’s goal of exploring innovative, research-backed mental health interventions for veterans and other high-risk populations.
With my background in psychiatric care, suicide prevention, and developing care models for high-risk individuals, I recognize the urgent need for alternative therapies to address treatment-resistant PTSD and suicidality. Many veterans face mental health challenges that conventional approaches fail to resolve, and it is imperative that Virginia leads the way in exploring new, evidence-based solutions.
However, my support for SB1101 is conditional upon the inclusion of professionals actively working in the field of psychedelic medicine within the advisory council. The success of any initiative exploring breakthrough therapies depends on expertise from those with direct experience in clinical applications, patient safety, and integration practices. It is essential that the advisory council prioritizes licensed medical professionals, researchers, and practitioners currently engaged in this work to ensure that guidance on safety, efficacy, and risk management reflects real-world clinical knowledge rather than theoretical perspectives.
If structured correctly, SB1101 has the potential to be a transformative step forward in addressing the mental health crisis among veterans. I urge the General Assembly to ensure that actively practicing professionals in psychedelic medicine are included in the advisory council. Without this key provision, the initiative risks lacking the necessary expertise to implement these therapies responsibly and effectively.
I appreciate your time and consideration and am available to provide further insight or answer any questions.
Very Respectfully,
Nancy Reid Byrne, PMHNP-BC, CNM
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Veteran, USMC
Alchemy Wellness
8639 Mayland Dr. Suite 102
Richmond, VA 23294
Office (804) 993-3039
Fax (804) 447-1953
Reid@wellwithalchemy.com
Written Testimony in Conditional Support of SB1101 To the Honorable Members of the Virginia General Assembly, I am submitting this testimony in conditional support of Senate Bill 1101, introduced by Senator Ghazala Hashmi, which seeks to establish the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Advisory Council. I am a veteran (Captain, United States Marine Corps) and a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) specializing in psychedelic medicine at a local clinic, Alchemy Wellness. I strongly support the bill’s goal of exploring innovative, research-backed mental health interventions for veterans and other high-risk populations. With my background in psychiatric care, suicide prevention, and developing care models for high-risk individuals, I recognize the urgent need for alternative therapies to address treatment-resistant PTSD and suicidality. Many veterans face mental health challenges that conventional approaches fail to resolve, and it is imperative that Virginia leads the way in exploring new, evidence-based solutions. However, my support for SB1101 is conditional upon the inclusion of professionals actively working in the field of psychedelic medicine within the advisory council. The success of any initiative exploring breakthrough therapies depends on expertise from those with direct experience in clinical applications, patient safety, and integration practices. It is essential that the advisory council prioritizes licensed medical professionals, researchers, and practitioners currently engaged in this work to ensure that guidance on safety, efficacy, and risk management reflects real-world clinical knowledge rather than theoretical perspectives. If structured correctly, SB1101 has the potential to be a transformative step forward in addressing the mental health crisis among veterans. I urge the General Assembly to ensure that actively practicing professionals in psychedelic medicine are included in the advisory council. Without this key provision, the initiative risks lacking the necessary expertise to implement these therapies responsibly and effectively. I appreciate your time and consideration and am available to provide further insight or answer any questions. Very Respectfully, Nancy Reid Byrne, PMHNP-BC, CNM Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Veteran, USMC Alchemy Wellness 8639 Mayland Dr. Suite 102 Richmond, VA 23294 Office (804) 993-3039 Fax (804) 447-1953 Reid@wellwithalchemy.com