HRI Talks: Psychedelics and End-Of-Life Mental Health

Event information:

December 10, 2025
7:00 – 8:00 PM ET (on Zoom)
Click here to register 

HRI Talks is presented by CIBC.

Description:

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining attention as a promising approach to support the mental health of people living with a terminal diagnosis. While it shows potential for easing symptoms of depression, anxiety and distress, it remains an emerging field with significant ethical, legal and safety considerations. Understanding its risks and benefits is essential for patients, clinicians and policymakers alike.

In this HRI Talk, we’ll explore the Canadian landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy for end-of-life mental health: what we currently know, what remains uncertain, and the implications for care and policy.

What You’ll Learn:

• How can psychedelic-assisted therapy support emotional and psychological well-being for individuals facing a terminal diagnosis?
• What is currently known, and what remains uncertain, about its use in palliative and end-of-life care?
• What are the potential risks, responsibilities, and policy implications of integrating psychedelic-assisted therapy into care for those at the end of life?

Moderator:

Garvia Bailey
Journalist and Co-founder of Media Girlfriends Inc.

Featuring:

Dr. Houman Farzin, M.D., M.Sc., is a physician and researcher specializing in psychedelic medicine and palliative care. He is the founder and chief medical officer of Mystic Health, a holistic health practice currently based in Los Angeles. Dr. Farzin also serves as an attending physician in the Division of Palliative Care at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal and a clinical assistant professor at McGill University, where he teaches mindfulness and other skills to medical students.

Diane Gratton, RN (retired), earned her Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Ottawa and worked for many years in public health and education. Living with stage IV breast cancer with bone metastases since 2021, she participated in two psilocybin-assisted therapy sessions in 2024. She shares her experiences from the patient’s perspective—motivations, challenges and emotional impacts—while advocating for compassionate, patient-centered integration of psychedelic therapies in clinical settings.

Dr. Sarah Kratina, RN, PhD, is a clinician and researcher specializing in mental health, psychedelic interventions and drug policy. She completed her PhD at the University of Toronto in the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation. Her research focuses on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic interventions for people living with alcohol use disorder, persistent post-concussive symptoms, and those experiencing end-of-life distress.