Addressing Treatment-Resistant Depression
Policy Committee September 16, 2025
HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 – As Pennsylvanians living with severe mental health struggles continue to try to find treatment that works for them, studies show that new, innovative therapies can help address treatment-resistant depression. The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Tuesday to explore these alternative options and how the state can ensure new treatment availability to patients across the commonwealth as soon as possible. Early, but promising data shows psilocybin, found in certain species of mushrooms, can safely and effectively treat certain mental health disorders when prescribed and administered by trained and licensed medical professionals. 
- Host: Rep. Jennifer O'Mara (D-Delaware)
- Testifiers:
- Ryan Gardill- President, Manheim Township Professional Fire Fighters Association
- Brett Waters, Esq.- Co-Founder and Executive Director, Reason for Hope
- Dr. Daniel Orr- Owner, Eagle Direct Primary Care
- Dr. Michael Thase- Professor of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Ryan Bastle, PhD, MBA- Senior Medical Science Liaison, Compass Pathways
- Tess Bettler- Associate Director of Government Affairs, Compass Pathways
Agenda + Testimony
Media Release + News Coverage
- Testifiers detail positive impacts of psilocybin on treatment-resistant depression, September 16, 2025
- The Center Square, Psilocybin under consideration as next depression treatment, September 17, 2025
- Lancaster Online, Pa. House Democrats consider 'magic mushrooms' as mental health treatment, September 17, 2025
- MyChesCo, Lawmakers Weigh Psilocybin Access to Address Treatment-Resistant Depression in Pennsylvania, September 18, 2025
Video + Photos