Building Capacity and Healing: A First Nations-led Study of Education for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Building Capacity and Healing: A First Nations-Led Educational Pathway for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Building Capacity and Healing: A First Nations-Led Educational Pathway for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy is an educational initiative led by the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM). The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a First Nations-led, culturally grounded education program for psychedelic-assisted therapy is feasible and acceptable by health practitioners working within First Nations communities. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is a First Nations-led educational and culturally grounded intervention feasible in a land-based setting?
• Do participants complete the intervention and follow-up assessments?
• Does a First Nations-led program improve acceptability and knowledge comprehension of psychedelic-assisted therapy? Researchers will compare quantitative and qualitative data from those in the intervention who receive land-based training compared to virtual training modules to see if it improves acceptability, adherence, and knowledge comprehension.

Participants will acquire a full medicine bundle (spiritual, ethical, cultural, and scientific knowledge) through land-based teachings with respected Elders and Knowledge Keepers. No medicine administration occurs in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Experience working with or a member of an Indigenous population: Experience working with First Nations, Inuit, or Metis people in the capacity of a therapist, clinician, mental health practitioner, or community wellness worker.
• Connection to community: Participants may reside, work within, or maintain significant connections with an Indigenous community (urban, rural, or on-reserve) to reflect the diversity of Indigenous contexts.
• Age: Adults aged 18 and older to ensure participants can provide informed consent.
• Availability to complete training and evaluation sessions: Participants must be available to complete both the required training components and the follow-up assessments, including participation in the First Nations-specific training if randomized to the intervention group.
• Language proficiency: Proficiency in the language(s) used for the study (English or an Indigenous language if culturally appropriate) to ensure effective communication.
• Stable health status: Participants should be in a relatively stable physical and mental health condition to ensure their ability to participate without compromising their well-being.
• Access to support: Participants should have access to a support network or resources (e.g., counsellors, family, or community support) during the study to address any emotional or psychological distress that may arise.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active Substance Use Disorder Without Stability: Individuals actively using substances in a way that would impede participation or pose safety concerns during study activities
• Inability to Provide Informed Consent Individuals who cannot fully understand the study's purpose or consent process due to cognitive impairments or other reasons.
• Lack of Community Connection: Individuals with no connection to or work with Indigenous communities, as this connection is integral to the study's cultural and contextual relevance.
• Concurrent Participation in Conflicting Studies: Individuals participating in other research studies with similar goals or interventions in the last 12-months, to avoid conflicting influences or overburdening the participant.
• Unwillingness to Engage: Individuals unwilling or unable to fully engage in study activities, such as interviews, focus groups, or educational pathways.