Listening to Lead: How a Community-Informed Psilocybin Study is Guiding New Mexico’s Regulated Model

New Mexico is making history. With the passage of Senate Bill 219, it’s on track to create the nation’s first state-regulated medical psilocybin program—and this community-informed pilot study is helping pave the way.Co-designed by the Psychedelic Mental Health Access Alliance (PMHA) and the University of New Mexico, with implementation support from the Health Equity Council (Bernalillo County), the study centers a bold question: What does safe, accessible, and culturally grounded psychedelic care look like when it’s built with community—not just for it?This 24-month feasibility and implementation study evaluates a group-format psilocybin-assisted therapy model for people living with PTSD and other mental health conditions. The study will enroll four identity-based cohorts: veterans, first responders, and two additional groups that will be identified through a community engagement process.This session explores how last-mile research and community-rooted design are shaping not just what psilocybin care looks like in New Mexico—but how it can be delivered with trust, dignity, and long-term impact.At the heart of this work is the belief that community engagement is essential to creating care models that are truly equitable. By collaborating with local leaders, including the Bernalillo County Community Health Equity Council, the pilot ensures that care is informed by the lived experiences of those it serves. This commitment to co-creation fosters trust, shared ownership, and long-term impact. The pilot’s design integrates culturally attuned practices and tackles structural barriers to care, —barriers that disproportionately affect underserved populations.The model also includes group psilocybin therapy approach that enhances healing through shared experiences and peer support while also reducing costs, making care more accessible. Integration is another cornerstone of this effort. The model aims to provide participants with least six months of continued integration support through telehealth, mobile apps, and peer-led groups, ensuring long-term transformation and reducing the risk of relapse.