Orsi Fehér

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) | Vienna (AT)

Lecture:
Psychedelic Welfare Service

Under the influence of consciousness altering substances, some experience confusing psychological processes that, if left unaddressed or handled improperly, can result in mental crises that can bear long term negative effects on a person’s psyche.
Psychedelic Welfare is an umbrella term for services dedicated to helping people who are undergoing or have encountered difficult, drug-related experiences. SSDP and the Psychedelic Society of Vienna, recognizing the wide range of use of psychedelics, have launched two projects this year that are targeted at providing support to those seeking assistance to maintain their mental health during or after such challenging experiences. (1) PsyCare is a peer led, on-site harm reduction service that aims to address problems immediately as they emerge, particularly at festivals and other music events. PsyCare is designed to help people manage through challenging experiences and prevent long term harm that might be caused if such situations are not handled appropriately. (2) Integration circles address the aftermath, the thoughts and feelings that follow such occurrences. During small-group sessions, trained facilitators guide participants to learn from their experiences and, if necessary, adjust their behavior.
The services’ main goal is minimizing the risks related to the use of psychedelic substances, be it legal or illegal under current legislation, and address the non-medical emergencies with timely and professional, compassionate assistance.