White House Orders Acceleration of Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness
President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on April 18, 2026, at the White House to accelerate medical treatments for serious mental illness. The order aims to speed FDA approval of psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, to address treatment-resistant cases affecting over 14 million American adults, officials said.
The executive order, titled “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness,” directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the review and approval process for psychedelic drugs that have received Breakthrough Therapy designations, officials said. Under the order, the FDA Commissioner is instructed to grant National Priority Review Vouchers to qualifying psychedelic therapies, ensuring faster regulatory review without procedural delays, according to a White House fact sheet dated April 2026. The order also establishes a pathway for eligible patients to access investigational psychedelic drugs under the Right to Try Act, provided these drugs meet basic safety requirements and are under FDA review for serious mental illnesses.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary is tasked with allocating $50 million through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to match state investments in psychedelic research, sources confirmed.
This funding supports federal collaboration with states that have enacted or are developing psychedelic programs targeting serious mental illness, according to an analysis by Akin Gump. The funds are intended to advance clinical trials, data sharing, and real-world evidence generation in partnership with the private sector, officials said. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for covering the costs associated with publishing the executive order, as outlined in its provisions.
Veterans are a particular focus of the order, which highlights the elevated rates of suicide and mental illness in military populations, the White House release stated. The Special Operations Association of America praised the executive order as a “monumental victory for veteran healthcare,” referencing their advocacy efforts since 2021. The order prioritizes access to new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, addiction, and veteran suicide prevention, according to remarks made by President Trump in a White House YouTube question-and-answer session. The Department of Veterans Affairs is collaborating with HHS, the FDA, and private sector partners to conduct clinical trials of psychedelic therapies specifically for veterans, officials said.
The executive order also calls on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and HHS to accelerate the review process for rescheduling psychedelic products that complete Phase 3 clinical trials and receive FDA approval. Coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and DOJ is aimed at removing legal barriers that currently restrict research and access to these medicines, according to President Trump’s announcement video posted on whitehouse.gov. The order emphasizes increasing clinical trial preparation and data sharing for psychedelics designated as Breakthrough Therapies, targeting conditions such as major depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder, as detailed in the Akin Gump EO Tracker.
According to Section 1 of the executive order, serious mental illness affects more than 14 million American adults, with approximately 8 million currently prescribed medications that have not resulted in enduring improvements despite significant federal research investments. The order notes that psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, have shown promise in clinical studies for treatment-resistant cases, officials said. The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designations to several psychedelic drugs currently in clinical development, and numerous products are under review for safety and efficacy in addressing complex mental health conditions, according to White House documentation.
The executive order was signed by President Donald J. Trump on April 18, 2026, at the White House and is published on whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions. Video footage of the signing and announcement is available on the White House YouTube channel, where the president described the initiative as historic reform to address a national mental health crisis. The order invokes the president’s constitutional authority and outlines a comprehensive federal policy to accelerate innovative research models and FDA approvals for life-saving therapies aimed at serious mental illnesses.
The White House fact sheet and related materials emphasize a coordinated federal effort to expand access to psychedelic treatments, reduce regulatory hurdles, and foster partnerships between government agencies and private entities. The administration’s directives include enhancing clinical trial infrastructure and encouraging data sharing to build real-world evidence supporting these new therapies. The executive order represents a significant policy shift intended to supplement existing mental health treatments with novel approaches for populations that have not benefited from conventional medications, officials said.
