#75 Making Psychedelic Healing Accessible: The Vision of Thank You Life with Founder, Kevin Cannella

Mental Health Today - A podcast by Ken Stearns

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In this episode, Kevin Cannella, founder of the nonprofit organization "Thank You Life," discusses the organization's mission and approach to making psychedelic therapy more accessible. He highlights the importance of expanding access to psychedelic therapy, which they believe can help people heal from trauma and improve their mental health. Kevin talks about the various movements within the field of psychedelic therapy, including clinical models, decriminalization efforts, and community-based ceremonies, recognizing that different approaches are suitable for different people. "Thank You Life" primarily focuses on the clinical model and is building a network of clinics that offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Their goal is to extend their services to include MDMA and psilocybin when these substances become federally legal. He mentions that the organization is working on project-based rollouts, where clinics and community organizations can submit proposals for specific projects, and "Thank You Life" helps fund and support them. One innovative approach they are exploring is group ketamine experiences, which can be more cost-effective and foster a sense of community. Kevin discusses the challenges associated with the traditional mental health care system, emphasizing the need for more effective and trauma-focused treatments. He suggests that pharmaceuticals and conventional therapy methods may not be sufficient for deep healing and acknowledges that psychedelic therapy has the potential to address the root causes of mental health issues. Towards the end of the conversation, Kevin expresses that their organization is actively seeking financial support to fund their projects and mentions specific initiatives, such as working with veterans and BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. He encourages anyone interested in supporting "Thank You Life" to reach out through their website or contact him directly. He believes that the support they receive will help fulfill their mission of making healing through psychedelics more accessible to those in need.