WASHINGTON – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) applauds President Trump for signing an executive order on Saturday aimed at accelerating alternative treatments for serious mental illness, a move the organization says could be transformative for veterans struggling with mental health challenges.
The executive order, titled Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness, directs federal agencies, particularly the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA), Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration, to speed up research, approval pathways and clinical access to emerging treatments for serious mental illness. A central focus is expanding study and potential medical use of psychedelic-assisted therapies (e.g., psilocybin, MDMA), including issuing clearer guidance for clinical trials and reducing regulatory barriers.
“For years, our members have prioritized research and clinical trials of alternative mental health treatments of all kinds,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore. “The VFW applauds President Trump for signing this important executive order, which seeks to cut through bureaucracy and deliver innovative treatments to veterans who need them.”
This marks a notable shift in federal policy from a cautious, tightly restricted approach to these substances toward a more proactive, innovation-driven model. While it does not immediately legalize new treatments, it accelerates the pipeline from research to patient access, signaling federal support for unconventional therapies, especially for conditions like PTSD, depression and other severe mental illnesses where existing treatments prove inadequate.
“This executive order has been a long time coming and reflects years of advocacy from the veterans’ community, especially from our partners at the Grunt Style Foundation,” said Whitmore. “They have advocated that cocktails of pills alone are not enough to treat veterans’ mental illnesses. That is why the stroke of the president’s pen over the weekend has the potential to save lives today and into the future.”
Among those attending Saturday’s executive order signing were former U.S. Navy SEALs and veteran advocates Rob O’Neill, Marcus Luttrell and Rep. Morgan Luttrell, a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
“Innovative therapies have shown life-changing results in treating combat-related mental health injuries, especially where conventional treatments, like opioids, have fallen short,” said Rep. Luttrell, who is also a Life member of the VFW. “If there’s a chance to give our veterans their lives back, we have a responsibility to explore it. As a proud member of VFW Post 4709 in Conroe, TX, I appreciate the support of my hometown brothers and sisters and look forward to sharing these new therapies with them.”
“We were proud to see congressional champion for veterans’ rights and fellow comrade Rep. Luttrell for this momentous occasion,” said Whitmore. “He is a leader who truly listens to veterans and acts to get things done on their behalf.”
In March of this year, Whitmore spoke about on the topic during the VFW’s annual legislative presentation to Congress, demonstrating the scope of the crisis as nearly every VFW and VFW Auxiliary member in attendance stood during the hearing before the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees to show just how many veterans have been affected by suicide.
This latest executive order is the latest win for congressional supporters and veteran advocates of emerging treatments, such as the Grunt Style Foundation who have led the effort to bring change to the VA policy on alternate modalities. Last year, President Trump signed an executive order recognizing legitimate medical uses and expanding research into medical marijuana and cannabidiol, a decision applauded by the VFW.
The VFW remains committed to advancing innovative solutions that improve the health and well-being of America’s veterans.
“The VFW looks forward to working with the VA to ensure veterans can access the care they deserve,” said Whitmore.