[Kingston, Ontario] – On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Providence Care, in partnership with Queen’s University, celebrated the grand opening of the Centre for Psychedelics Health and Research at Providence Care’s Providence Care Hospital site.
Evolving from a psychedelics research collaborative founded at Queen’s University in 2001, and with new support from the Ontario Brain Institute, and the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression (CAN-BIND), the Centre for Psychedelics Health and Research at Providence Care will be multidisciplinary, connecting local and national partners across various disciplines as they explore the therapeutic use of psychedelics in treating mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic pain, and palliative needs.
“Providence Care is at the forefront of psychedelic health and research in Ontario and in Canada. I have no doubt that the Centre will help our health-care system make informed choices about the efficacy and safety of psychedelics in the future,” says Dr. Claudio Soares, who is a Professor of Psychiatry at Queen’s University, Senior Researcher at Providence Care, and Director of the Centre.
The Centre for Psychedelics Health and Research at Providence Care will be among the first of its kind in Canada, approaching psychedelic science in a comprehensive way, providing a nationwide platform for clinical trials, training opportunities for healthcare providers and researchers, and knowledge mobilization initiatives with clinicians, community members and policy makers. It aims to overcome the stigma often associated with the therapeutic use of psychedelics in a health care setting, while serving as a hub for research, education, training and treatment, connecting with experts from across Canada and internationally.
“Psychedelics are emerging as a therapeutic tool for a number of indications, with the strong potential to help people on their journey to wellness and recovery. Yet much is still unknown about the safety and efficacy of these agents, and regulatory bodies require better research and data than what we have currently. The work to be conducted at the Centre will not only benefit the greater Kingston community; it will help shape the future of psychedelics in health care.” adds Dr. Soares.
The opening of the Centre for Psychedelics Health and Research fits Providence Care’s mission of instilling hope and enhancing the quality of life in the people served through partnership and innovation. The Centre not only represents hope for those with treatment-resistant conditions but also underscores Providence Care’s commitment to leading-edge research and patient and client care. Allison Philpot, Vice President System Innovation and Executive Director, Medical Affairs & Research looks forward to the positive impact this Centre will have on individuals and communities, both locally and beyond.
“High quality research and well-designed clinical trials will be essential to advance the field of psychedelics health and inform clinical practice. With that in mind, we are delighted to partner with Providence Care and its new Centre as we establish a national clinical trial platform dedicated to psychedelics research”, says Dr. Benicio Frey, Director of the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression (CAN-BIND).
“Psychedelics have shown some promise for people who are struggling, including in the areas of mental health and addictions,” says Jane Philpott, Dean of Queen’s Health Sciences. “We need research to build the knowledge base that will help us support these patients. That’s why Queen’s was an early leader in this area, and why I’m so pleased that Providence Care and its partners are taking on this next phase.”
The grand opening of the Centre for Psychedelics Health and Research at Providence Care is just the beginning. The next steps include furnishing the spaces with the necessary resources, tailored to conducting clinical trials on psychedelic agents. The centre is committed to education, collaboration and engagement and in the future will host a variety of activities, including workshops and educational sessions for the community and partners to discuss clinical trial research and knowledge translation opportunities.
About Providence Care:
Providence Care is an academic health care organization committed to innovation and creating, sharing and applying knowledge and training to the next generation of health care professionals. Providence Care operates Providence Care Hospital, Providence Transitional Care Centre, Providence Manor long-term care home, Hospice Kingston, and more than 20 community based mental health and support services across the region. For more information visit ProvidenceCare.ca or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
