While the method remains somewhat controversial and mysterious, Matthew Buckley swears by it – psychedelic therapy can save veterans’ lives.
In 2021, he said it saved him.
“Whiz” Buckley served in the Navy, becoming an accomplished fighter pilot. He flew F/A-18 jets and found himself in scary situations often. Serving in the Navy, consumed by high-stress missions, provided an adrenaline rush and a sense of pride. However, after he left the service, he struggled at times to adapt to civilian life and noticed he wasn’t alone. Many of his Navy buddies were also fighting new challenges.
To help fellow veterans connect to alternative therapy, Buckley founded the No Fallen Heroes Foundation. Buckley told KAUZ in Wichita Falls, Texas, that “psychedelic therapy significantly impacted his life,” aiding in his recovery from addiction and providing a pathway back to his old self. Especially during the holidays, when depression and anxiety can really amp up for veterans, Buckley believes psychedelics can be used in a safe and effective way.
Suicide Led to Therapy
Buckley can still recall the moment he knew he needed help.
“My fourth F/18 brother committed suicide. I was convinced I wasn’t that too far behind him, and in May of 2021, I went down to Mexico with a group of very decorated combat veterans, and I’ve done some challenging things in my life,” Buckley said. “This was without a doubt the most challenging thing that I’ve done; it was not fun, it was not recreational, but I got about 40 years of therapy in a weekend. It just absolutely changed and saved my life.”
Oftentimes, veterans feel they are alone in dealing with their mental health battles. Buckley formed his foundation to show them they’re not; there are supportive places to turn to. Deeply religious, Buckley spreads the “word of God” and promotes alternative therapy. He hopes it will keep veterans from taking their own lives, as his buddy did a few years ago.
Buckley said veterans dealing with loneliness, isolation, and depression, maybe even thoughts of suicide, should think about how strong they are and how much they’ve overcome.
“I would like to remind veterans as well: they’ve survived every one of their worst days, right? And they’ve probably had some worst days in combat and in the military, so if you can survive those days, you can survive anything that life’s thrown at you,” said Buckley.
“Today, the No Fallen Heroes Foundation has helped over 100 veterans sit with these sacraments, and not a single one of them has said I am worse (off) or a (it’s) complete waste of time.”
“Sacraments” are really healing retreats set up for veterans through the foundation.
Multiple Ways to Help
No Fallen Heroes helps veterans find their way by offering grant funding and mental health treatment through trauma-informed psychedelic retreats.
“We provide healing grants for veterans, first responders, and family members, because family members serve too,” Buckley said. “My wife had to put up with me for a long time and all the issues that I went through, so we actually give grants to family members as well.”
The sacraments are designed similarly to combat missions where veterans receive two briefing calls prior to the retreat. They’re then given a manual that explains more about the treatment.
Treatment doesn’t stop after the retreats. The foundation keeps in touch with veterans through integration calls.
Buckley said veterans, and even non-veterans, can help lower the suicide rate by simply picking up the phone and being present when they need an empathetic ear.
“Pick up your phone, go through your phone, and find five to 10 of your veteran brothers and sisters and call them, and ask how they’re doing, are they good, do they need anything. You might just save a life during that check-in,” Buckley said.
The foundation also helps first responders and their families with treatment, too.
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