For Immediate Release
With Marcus and Amber Capone, Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, Dr. Rick Doblin, Brian Losey, Marcus Luttrell, and others
As we pass 20 years since 9/11, with an unprecedented 20 years of sustained combat, and experience the sudden end to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, America’s veteran suicides continue to skyrocket: as many as 20 suicides every day according to recent statistics, with rates continuing to rise. This is an excruciating reminder that our veterans urgently need access to more meaningful healing options. Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) has already helped over 400 Navy SEALs and other Special Operations Forces veterans receive a critical lifeline to healing through psychedelic therapy—and many more are waiting for this important opportunity.
This year, VETS worked closely with policymakers in Texas, including former Texas Governor Rick Perry and Rep. Alex Dominguez, to pass the historically bipartisan Senate Bill 1802, which authorized the use of state funds for the first-ever clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans.
This Veterans Day—November 11, 2021—to raise awareness of the ongoing epidemic of veteran suicide, and to gather support for VETS’ work, VETS is hosting the Strength in Numbers Gala to End Veteran Suicide. Prior to the event itself, VETS will host a press conference as an opportunity for media representatives to cover this important event, which has rallied support from every end of the political spectrum the brave heroes who’ve selflessly served and defended our nation.
We hope you’ll join VETS, Governor Perry, Marcus Luttrell, Rear Adm. (Ret.) Brian Losey, and many others in the U.S. Special Operations Forces and psychedelic research communities at the world-famous Hotel del Coronado.
WHO: VETS and special guests, including:
- Rick Perry, former Governor of Texas and U.S. Secretary of Energy
- Marcus Capone, Navy SEAL veteran and co-founder of VETS
- Amber Capone, co-founder of VETS
- Dr. Rick Doblin, founder and executive director of MAPS
- Rear Adm. (Ret.) Brian Losey, Navy SEAL veteran and Chair of VETS Advisory Board
- Marcus Luttrell, Navy SEAL veteran, bestselling author of Lone Survivor, podcast host
Please inquire about participants' additional availability for interviews or on-record comment. Other special guests not participating in the press conference but available for interviews on request include:
- Jarred Taylor, Air Force veteran, co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee and Article 15 clothing
- Sara Wilkinson, Gold Star Spouse of Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson, CrossFit Trainer, member of VETS’ Board of Directors
WHEN: Press conference will take place on Thursday, November 11 (Veterans Day) from 4:00 - 4:30 PM
WHERE: Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado CA — Garden Room
Current sponsors include Havoc Studios, Future Ventures, Atai Life Sciences, Leupold, Dr. Bronner’s, Wesana, Stone Canyon Industries, Protekt, Krilogy, Qore Performance, and Ultranative.
For additional information, please contact Brad Burge, VETS Director of Communications and Public Relations, at brad@vetsolutions.org.
About VETS
Founded in 2019, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to end the veteran suicide epidemic by providing resources, research, and advocacy for U.S. military veterans seeking psychedelic-assisted therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and other health conditions. VETS envisions a world where our veterans have access to the most advanced healthcare options to heal from the mental and physical wounds of war.
###
