WASHINGTON, DC: Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has unveiled a multifaceted proposal aimed at addressing the mental health challenges faced by veterans.
The comprehensive plan, which was presented on Veterans Day in New Hampshire, emphasizes a holistic approach to supporting veterans during and after their service.
"As President, I will take a holistic approach to ensure Veterans receive the care they need to live long, flourishing lives — starting during their service and continuing in the decades that follow," states Ramaswamy’s policy plan.
The key components of Ramaswamy's policy include the creation of 'two-week decompression buffers' through the Department of Defense (DOD), providing servicemembers with a location separate from the US after combat tours to gradually reacclimate to civilian life.
The plan also advocates for servicemembers to report PTSD under privacy protections to address the current issue where fear of "permanent red flags" prevents many from seeking help.
Alternative medicine for PTSD treatment
Ramaswamy further supports the use of alternative medicine, specifically marijuana, ayahuasca, and MDMA, in treating PTSD, aligning with a recent review of PTSD treatment published in the National Library of Medicine.
“As this review highlights, psychedelic substances provide prospects for a revolutionary method of treating PTSD,” the review stated.
“Each of the examined substances has a distinctive potential, from their use to quickly target PTSD symptoms to their use as adjuncts to support psychotherapy,” it concluded.
The proposal aims to “de-schedule schedule 1 drug restrictions that stand in the way of Veterans with PTSD enjoying access to substances that can assist in their treatment and recovery: marijuana, ayahuasca/DMT [Dimethyltryptamine], and MDMA [methylenedioxymethamphetamine],” per the plan shared with Breitbart News.
Ramaswamy's plan draws inspiration from outdoor therapy, allowing doctors to prescribe non-pharmaceutical treatments such as hiking and camping. The proposal also underscores the need to expand community care provisions, reduce wait times, and offer financial incentives to providers prioritizing mental health services.
Addressing the alarming rate of veteran suicides, Ramaswamy pledges to expand opportunities for vocational education through veterans' educational benefits, particularly the Veteran Employment Through Technical Training (VET TEC) program.
“America must stop failing our veterans,” Ramaswamy declared in his plan.
“Since 2001, an average of over 6,000 Veterans have committed suicide every year — meaning nearly as many vets die from suicide every year as died in 20 years of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said.
Social media reactions
Many on social media applauded Ramaswamy's plan.
"Sad truth.. losing Veterans is the worst thing to happen," one posted on X.
"Well this is definitely something you won’t hear from anyone else," someone else wrote.
"Man of the moment," another gushed.
Some among his critics, however, weren't satisfied.
"I’m happy to discuss this with you—but drugs are not the answer to PTSD, in general. Some really bad PTSD—maybe, but only with other treatment," one wrote.
"This is Ketamine, once known as the Date R... Drug, now known as Tranq. Vivek, you really want this legal or are you that desperate for votes?" a comment read.
"You are a joke man," another fumed.
