· Non-profit provides free, confidential peer support by phone and text for people having psychedelic experiences, or who want help understanding a past experience
· App offers a simple, elegant interface to make it easy for people to ask for help
· Now available and free to download on iPhone and Android
Today, the non-profit Fireside Project announced the release of the Psychedelic Peer Support app, now available on iPhone and Android. The app is the first designed for people seeking compassionate peer support for current or past psychedelic experiences. The app will have simple functionality and elegant design, with the goal of making it easier for people to remember the support line exists, and to reach out in their times of need.
Starting this October, the Psychedelic Peer Support Line (6-2FIRESIDE, or 623-473-7433) will expand from five to seven days a week, adding 32 additional hours of service. With the expansion, the support line will be open 7 days per week, 12 hours per day, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
The field of psychedelics is exploding, with research proceeding at a breakneck pace, decriminalization and legalization initiatives advancing in multiple states and localities, and a new multi-billion dollar industry emerging around psychedelics as mental health treatments. More people than ever before are experimenting with psychedelics both as treatments and beyond therapy, increasing the need for services that enhance public health.
In addition to allowing people to call or text the line without needing to add the support line’s number to their contacts, the app will also include Frequently Asked Questions about how the support line works, an easy way to provide feedback regarding one’s experience on the support line, the support line’s current hours, and a donate button. Fireside Project hopes that the app will remind people that the line exists, and encourage people to contact the line when they need help. Additional features are also in development.
“We live in a world connected by mobile technology—in the US alone it is estimated that 85% of the population have smartphones,” says Fireside Project co-founder and Cultivator of Beloved Community Hanifa Nayo Washington. “Our app was designed with accessibility and ease of use as top priorities, so that psychedelic users in any state of mind can connect quickly with our diverse and compassionate peer support line volunteers. Our hope is that the app makes coming to the warmth and belonging of Fireside Project just a click away.”
In addition to providing support for people currently having difficult psychedelic experiences, or “bad trips,” the line’s dedicated volunteers are also trained to support people who want to better understand past psychedelic experiences, whether those experiences happened yesterday or 60 years ago.
"I reached out to Fireside Project because I had an experience that brought up difficult memories and emotions from a psychedelic ceremony I had in the past,” reported one caller. “The person I spoke with at Fireside Project was extremely caring, and stayed on the phone with me for a long time, asking thoughtful questions. I got the feeling that they were not just trying to make sure I was OK, but rather actually helping me integrate and make sense of my experience in a way that would move me forward. I'm extremely grateful that Fireside Project exists and would recommend it to anyone who needs it."
Since the support line launched on April 14, 2021, Fireside Project has had more than 450 conversations by phone and text message, averted more than 25 emergency room visits and 911 calls, and de-escalated hundreds of people from psychological distress. 92% of Fireside Project clients indicated that they felt heard, supported, and understood during their conversations and would recommend Fireside Project to others.
The Fireside Project has also received national media attention in such publications as Rolling Stone, Forbes, and Esquire.
About Fireside Project
Fireside Project is a non-profit organization that operates the Psychedelic Peer Support Line, providing free, confidential support by phone and text message to people who are in the midst of psychedelic experiences. In addition, Fireside Project offers free, unlimited support to people who are processing past psychedelic experiences, whether those experiences occurred yesterday or 25 years ago. Fireside Project can be reached by phone and text at 6-2FIRESIDE (623-473-7433).
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