Diversity, Equity and Access in Psychedelic Medicine

The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, an organization founded by Brazilian anthropologist Dr. Bia Labate, produces high-quality research on plant medicines and psychedelics, and helps propagate academic knowledge in more accessible formats. We educate the public and create cultural understanding and legitimacy regarding these substances so that they may cease to be stigmatized and outlawed. Chacruna also promotes a bridge between the world of plant medicines and the emergent field of psychedelic science, between “traditional ceremonial use” and clinical and therapeutic settings, bringing the knowledge and perspectives of the social sciences to health care professionals and practitioners of psychedelic- assisted therapy. Finally, we foster cultural and political reflections on the field of psychedelic science and facilitate conversations about controversial topics that have been simmering on the sidelines as psychedelics go mainstream.

Chacruna Institute

How do we create more access in the psychedelic renaissance for diverse and underprivileged communities?

Brava Theater Center

<h2>Diversity, Equity, and Access in Psychedelic Medicine</h2><h3><strong>Launch of the Journal of Psychedelic Studies Special Issue</strong></h3><h3>Wednesday, February 19th, 2020</h3><h3>6:30-9:30 pm</h3><h3>Brava Cabaret, 2773 24th Street, San Francisco</h3><p>Western models of healthcare are incorporating psychedelic medicine, in part, to gain governmental approval as a treatment for a variety of disorders. Research that began 70 years ago has restarted the last decade with hopes of achieving this goal and helping those in need. Although indigenous cultures around the world have used these medicines for millennia, it is evident that people of color are not being included in the work that is being conducted with these medicines. The current models of treatment delivery make it unlikely that communities of color will benefit from these medicines, due to cost and other obstacles</p><p>Please join us for an important discussion about these critical issues, led by<strong> Dr. Bia Labate </strong>and<strong> Dr. Monnica Williams. </strong>This community forum is organized to celebrate the launch of a special issue of the Journal of Psychedelic Science focused on diversity, equity, and access. There will be an insightful discussion regarding work to date in this area, with questions and answers as well. Also included are<strong> Kat Conour, MA, LMFT </strong>and <strong>Genesee Herzberg, PsyD</strong>, to discuss the <strong>Statement Towards an Ethos of Equity and Inclusion in the Psychedelic Movement</strong> published by Chacruna.</p><p>See <a href="https://akademiai.com/loi/2054?mobileUi=0" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">this link </a>for more about the Journal of Psychedelic Studies and a description of the special issue. We hope to see you there!</p><p>Email<a href="http://josh.chacruna@gmail.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><strong> josh.chacruna@gmail.com </strong></a>with any questions and if you are interested in volunteering at the event. </p>

<p><strong>Monnica T. Williams</strong> is a board-certified licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut in the Department of Psychological Sciences and Department of Psychiatry. She is also Clinical Director of the Behavioral Wellness Clinic, where she provides supervision and training to clinicians for empirically-supported treatments. Prior to her move to Connecticut in 2016, Dr. Williams served as the Director of the Center for Mental Health Disparities at the University of Louisville in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Dr. Williams’ research focuses on African American mental health, culture, and psychopathology, and she has published over 100 scientific articles on these topics. Current projects include the assessment of race-based trauma, unacceptable thoughts in OCD, improving cultural competence in the delivery of mental health care services, and interventions to reduce racism. This includes her work as a PI in a multisite study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. She also gives diversity trainings nationally for clinical psychology programs, scientific conferences, and community organizations. Dr. Williams is Associate Director of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines.</p>

<p><strong>Dr. Beatriz Caiuby Labate (Bia Labate)</strong> is a queer Brazilian anthropologist who immigrated to the U.S. in 2017. She has a Ph.D. in social anthropology from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil. Her main areas of interest are the study of plant medicines, drug policy, shamanism, ritual, and religion. She is Executive Director of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines (<a href="https://chacruna.net" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://chacruna.net</a>), an organization that provides public education about psychedelic plant medicines and promotes a bridge between the ceremonial use of sacred plants and psychedelic science. She is Adjunct Faculty at the East-West Psychology Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, and Visiting Professor at the Center for Research and Post Graduate Studies in Social Anthropology (CIESAS) in Guadalajara. She is also Public Education and Culture Specialist at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). She is co-founder of the Interdisciplinary Group for Psychoactive Studies (NEIP) in Brazil, and editor of NEIP’s website (<a href="http://www.neip.info" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.neip.info</a>), as well as editor of the Mexican blog Drugs, Politics, and Culture (<a href="http://drogaspoliticacultura.net" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://drogaspoliticacultura.net</a>). She is author, co-author, and co-editor of twenty-one books, one special-edition journal, and several peer-reviewed articles (<a href="http://bialabate.net" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://bialabate.net</a>).</p>

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