Southern Cross University to use world-first MDMA-assisted therapy and art clinical trial to treat PTSD after 2022 floods
The Federal government is forking out $3.82m for a pioneering trial of MDMA therapy and art to help residents battling PTSD in Lismore – the “most flood-prone city in Australia” – and the wider region.
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The Federal government is forking out $3.82 million for a world-first clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy and art to help more than 200 people with PTSD after the historic 2022 floods.
Southern Cross University (SCU), located at Lismore and the Gold Coast, is undertaking the stepped care treatment over four years using group programs with money from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
The university states it’s hoped findings will help provide more treatment for natural disaster survivors living with post traumatic stress disorders and other conditions.
SCU Professor James Bennett-Levy, chief investigator, thanked the federal government.
“I thank the Minister for funding this ground breaking, world-first clinical trial of a stepped care model in a post-disaster context,” he said.
“In 2022, northern New South Wales, and Lismore in particular, experienced Australia’s most devastating floods.
“Thousands of people are still suffering from disaster-related post traumatic stress disorder.
“Our research after the 2017 floods showed that mental health problems were compounded if people were self-critical and blamed themselves.
“We have therefore designed a stepped care program with a self-compassion focus.”
Flood survivor and Lismore Labor MP Janelle Saffin, who is also NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, was pleased to back the research.
“This project not only offers innovative evidence-based practices for trauma relief, but also means something positive can come out of our local experience,” she said.
“This research will add to the body of knowledge around trauma and post-traumatic growth.
“James Bennett-Levy has an international reputation for innovative mental health approaches and a commitment to the wellbeing of rural Australians, particularly the residents of the Northern Rivers region.”
SCU Professor Tyrone Carlin, president and vice-chancellor applauded Prof Bennett-Levy for his grant win.
“It represents the largest block MRFF funding received by Southern Cross University to date and illustrates the excellence and impact of critical research conducted by the University in our region,” he said.
“Under Professor Bennett-Levy’s leadership and expertise, this novel trial will broaden our knowledge about the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments for addressing serious trauma following a natural disaster.
“Lismore is the most flood-prone city in Australia. We know that many in the Northern Rivers community remain traumatised by the 2022 back-to-back flood disasters.
“Lismore is also the birthplace of Southern Cross University and with our roots deeply embedded in the community it is appropriate we lead this project.”
Health Minister Mark Butler was also supportive: “In a country often ravaged by bushfires, floods and cyclones, the world-first research by Southern Cross University will look for new and innovative ways to help communities recover following natural disasters.”
“We hope that this research project will help the Northern Rivers community to recover following the flood tragedy,” he said.
More than two years on, Lismore and the wider region have been clawing back to normality. Some are still living in temporary housing or sleeping rough.
SCU states there has been “very few” clinical trials on recovering from PTSD after disasters – and none have focused on a stepped care model, which is an evidence-based system of mental health treatment.
Clinical Trial
After the Floods: Evaluating a Stepped Care Model to Treat Chronic Disaster-Related PTSD
– Step 1 will evaluate a five-session, arts-based program, which engages participants in creating compassion-focused artworks.
– Step 2: If participants still have PTSD they may be eligible for Step 2: MDMA-assisted therapy. Research already shows MDMA-assisted therapy enhances self-compassion and is an effective treatment for PTSD.
– Recruitment will start later this year. People can register their interest by emailing: compassiontrial@scu.edu.au
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