At the ASR Suicide & Depression Studies Program, we are passionate about amplifying the voices of people with lived experience and increasing mental health literacy in the community. We host several public events throughout the year, which can be found on our website and social media channels.
Upcoming Events
Psychedelic Medicine for the Treatment of Suicide Risk? What We Know and What We Need to Find Out.
There is an urgent need for treatments that can quickly and safely help people who are at risk of suicide. Psychedelic medicines are getting more attention because they might help with several mental health concerns, including depression. Early studies suggest that psychedelic medicines might help lower suicide risk for some people. But the research is still very early, with only small groups of participants, so scientists need more evidence before we can know for certain.
In this talk, Dr. Richard Zeifman will explain what psychedelic medicines are and what scientists know so far about how they work. He will share early findings on whether they might help reduce suicide risk, what questions remain, and what safety issues researchers are studying. The talk will also look at the next steps needed to understand both the possible benefits and the risks.
Join us on World Suicide Prevention Day – Thursday, September 10, 2026 – at 12:00 PM EST on Zoom to explore this topic with care, curiosity, and open conversation. Click here to register for free.
Learning Objectives
- Learn what psychedelic medicines are and how they might be used in mental health care.
- Understand what current research says about their possible effects on suicide risk.
- Explore how and why psychedelic medicines might help people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide.
- Identify the limits of current research, safety concerns, and what studies need to look at next.
About The Speaker
Dr. Richard Zeifman is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Psychedelic‑Assisted Therapy (PATH) Lab at The New School for Social Research. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and an Honorary Lecturer in Brain Sciences at Imperial College London.
His research examines the safety, effectiveness, and mechanisms of psychedelic‑assisted therapy across clinical trials and real‑world studies, with a particular focus on its potential effects on suicide risk. He has authored more than 50 peer‑reviewed publications and serves as a co‑investigator and study therapist on clinical trials of psychedelic‑assisted therapy. Dr. Zeifman is also a licensed clinical psychologist in Ontario and New York.
Past Events
Expressive Writing Workshop; World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
World Suicide Prevention Day 2018 | September 10, 2018
Stories Across the Lifespan | June 5, 2018
“The S Word” Documentary Screening | September 12, 2017
CASP Conference on Arts-Based Suicide Prevention | September 11, 2017
A Tribute to Chris Cornell | August 11, 2017
