
Campus, Community, & Psychedelic Safety in Utah During the Psychedelic Medicine Renaissance
Safety is a fundamental human right, embedded in the fabric of our U.S. Constitution, where protections are provided to support the life, liberty, and security of every individual. This essential right extends beyond borders, recognized globally as a universal human right by both the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The UN emphasizes safety as critical to human dignity, while the WHO views it as a cornerstone of public health, essential for the well-being and flourishing of all people.
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Take a look at our historical commitment to safety, civil, and human rights in our community below:

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Safety as a human right encompasses a broad range of protections essential to our well-being, both as Americans and global citizens. In the United States, we’re entitled to various forms of safety, from the rights to free speech, peaceable assembly, and protest to the right to personal security. These freedoms allow us to stand up for change and protect the health of our communities (Smith & Freyd, 2014).^1. Globally, safety extends to protections from violence, clean water, healthcare access, and freedom from discrimination, as affirmed by the United Nations and the World Health Organization. (UN, 1948; WHO, 2019).^2
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Exercising these rights is crucial, especially in times of societal change. As new ideas and research emerge in mental health and culture, I THRIVE has looked toward the promising field of psychedelic science, addressing the unique safety concerns raised by these medicines and standing for community education and regulation to prevent past harms from being repeated (Johnson et al., 2008).^3.
Community safety requires that we remain informed, voice our concerns, and work together to ensure the responsible, ethical advancement of knowledge and innovation. By learning from past mistakes and standing together, we build a safer, more just future for everyone.
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References
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1. Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist, 69(6), 575–587.
2. United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights); World Health Organization. (2019). World Health Statistics Overview 2019. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/data (https://www.who.int/data)
3. Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., & Griffiths, R. R. (2008).
Human hallucinogen research: Guidelines for safety.
Journal of Psychopharmacology, 22
(6), 603–620.
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Campus safety isn’t just a right; it’s essential for anyone seeking to learn, grow, and build a future. Throughout her training at the University of Utah and early career, I THRIVE’s creator, Heather Curtis MD, witnessed the heartbreaking consequences when campus safety isn’t upheld—both on a personal and community level within state institutions meant to protect individuals (Smith & Freyd, 2014; Center for Institutional Courage, 2020).
After being assaulted in medical school and experiencing the mishandling of stalking complaints during her residency, these experiences contributed to a culture of negligence that led to recurrent harm and abuse, culminating when she was targeted and assaulted again by a University of Utah professor in 2020. During her global mental health training in residency at the University of Utah, she also had the unique experience of witnessing the painful experiences of international students harmed at training sites abroad. These defining experiences solidified her commitment to advocacy, educational and institutional safety, and shaped the mission of I THRIVE (McCauley et al., 2018). ​​
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The tragic losses of Lauren McCluskey in 2018 and Zhifan Dong in 2022 at the University of Utah underscored the importance of this work in Utah, showing the devastating toll on families and communities left struggling with the moral injury of institutional failure and lack of accountability (U.S. Department of Justice, 2019; Smith & Freyd, 2014). The trauma that survivors and families face is worsened when systems designed to protect them fall short. This profound need for reliable safety and justice has driven I THRIVE’s mission to support survivors of sexual violence, mental illness, and trauma.
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We have been instrumental in generating ongoing community dialogue to address campus and community harms, bringing together survivors, families, mental health professionals, and advocates. Through community forums and advocacy, we create spaces for honest conversations about institutional accountability and the steps we need to take to prevent future harm. This dialogue has shaped our advocacy efforts and has led to tangible recommendations that promote a culture of safety, respect, and proactive support on campuses and in our communities (McCauley et al., 2018). At I THRIVE, we are dedicated to fostering safer, trauma-informed spaces and to standing with survivors in the pursuit of lasting change.
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References
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Center for Institutional Courage. (2020). Understanding Institutional Courage. Retrieved from https://www.institutionalcourage.org (https://www.institutionalcourage.org)
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McCauley, H. L., Campbell, R., & Buchanan, N. T. (2018). Trauma and institutional betrayal: Practices that may enhance or decrease survivor well-being. American Psychologist, 73(9), 1091–1103.
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Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist, 69(6), 575–587.
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U.S. Department of Justice. (2019). Review of the University of Utah’s Response to Sexual Violence Complaints


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In 2020, I THRIVE’s focus naturally expanded to community safety after a difficult, personal experience brought new urgency to this work. During our advocacy for safety in the Utah mental health and psychedelic science community, I THRIVE's creator, Heather Curtis MD, faced a troubling threat relative to Parth Gandhi PhD (now deceased). It was suggested by someone close to Parth that he may pose a danger to Heather if her work to expose harms in the Utah psychedelic science community were to disrupt the psychedelic medicine movement (Smith & Freyd, 2014; McCauley et al., 2018).^1,2. Alarmed, Heather reported these concerns to >10 University of Utah faculty in August 2021. When I again raised concerns in April 2022—this time warning that Gandhi posed a sexual threat—a University official once again failed to act, allowing continued university affiliation and recurrent harm and violence in the community (Center for Institutional Courage, 2020).^3.
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In 2023, the tragic murder of Gandhi’s 16-year-old son, Om Moses Gandhi, broke the hearts of I THRIVE and the national community, shattering local perceptions on a once respected local psychedelic therapist who it was now exposed to have been a serial perpetrator. This highlighted once again the profound cost of institutional inaction and cemented our commitment to ensuring that the Utah mental health community, particularly at the University of Utah, prioritizes the safety of patients, providers, and the community moving forward(U.S. Department of Justice, 2019).^4
Now more than ever, I THRIVE is dedicated to advocating for accountability, change, and the protections necessary to build a safer, more supportive environment for all. We stand with deepened resolve to advocate for justice, not only for survivors but for a state and national community that deserves to feel safe.
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References
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1. Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist, 69(6), 575–587.
2. McCauley, H. L., Campbell, R., & Buchanan, N. T. (2018). Trauma and institutional betrayal: Practices that may enhance or decrease survivor well-being. American Psychologist, 73(9), 1091–1103.
3. Center for Institutional Courage. (2020). Understanding Institutional Courage. Retrieved from https://www.institutionalcourage.org (https://www.institutionalcourage.org)
4. U.S. Department of Justice. (2019). Review of the University of Utah’s
Response to Sexual Violence Complaints
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I THRIVE’s advocacy for psychedelic safety across Utah and beyond grew from a painful and personal experience. After surviving a psychedelic facilitated sexual assault by a university professor in 2020 and witnessing the destructive behavior of Parth Gandhi PhD, I THRIVE's creator, Heather Curtis MD, came face-to-face with the need for accountability and protection within the emerging field of psychedelic medicine. These experiences reshaped my understanding of community safety and institutional accountability, solidifying our mission to stand for ethical standards, patient rights, and community protection in this space (Smith & Freyd, 2014; McCauley et al., 2018; Johnson et al., 2008).^1,2,3.
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In July 2022, our advocacy expanded as Heather engaged with organizations like the California Institute of Integral Studies Center for Psychedelic Therapy and Research, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Numinus, and the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. She brought forward the message that patient and community safety must be at the core of psychedelic science, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding these practices withing the medical field. Since then, we have been vocal in Utah’s mental health and psychedelic communities, pressing for ethical conduct through investigations with the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) and filing formal complaints with the university’s Office of Equal Opportunity in October 2024.
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This work has evolved into a commitment to champion the rights of patients, survivors, and the broader community, demanding transparency and accountability from institutions that hold a duty to protect. As we continue, I THRIVE is dedicated to setting essential precedents to protect survivors and ensure that psychedelic medicine is safely and ethically integrated into healthcare. This journey has shown I THRIVE the importance of standing for what is right in the face of adversity. We are more committed than ever to creating a future where safety, healing, and ethical standards define the qualities of our communities and the conduct of our providers (U.S. Department of Justice, 2019).^5
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References
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1. Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist, 69(6), 575–587.
2. McCauley, H. L., Campbell, R., & Buchanan, N. T. (2018). Trauma and institutional betrayal: Practices that may enhance or decrease survivor well-being. American Psychologist, 73(9), 1091–1103.
3. Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., & Griffiths, R. R. (2008). Human hallucinogen research: Guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 22(6), 603–620.
4. Center for Institutional Courage. (2020). Understanding Institutional Courage. Retrieved from https://www.institutionalcourage.org (https://www.institutionalcourage.org)
5. U.S. Department of Justice. (2019). Review of the University of Utah’s
Response to Sexual Violence Complaints


Learn More
At I THRIVE we've taken our commitment to campus, community, and psychedelic safety to the world. Check out our social media to stay up to date on our posts and projects and don't for get to take our pledge for peace and safety!
I THRIVE & The Kintsukuroi Project
Check out a list of I THRIVE's projects & initiatives dedicated to campus, community, & psychedelic safety:
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Campus Safety Advocacy & Pledge:
A commitment to fostering secure, inclusive environments on educational campuses. Past advocacy has included resident physican treatment at UALD 2019.
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Collaboration with Ethics Committees & Divisions of Professional Licensing:
Working with multidisciplinary committees to uphold safety protocols in psychedelic science & mental health practice.
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Community Safety Initiatives: Campaigns and advocacy focused on enhancing safety, support, transparency and awareness in local communities.
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Psychedelic Safety Advocacy:
Promoting best practices, ethical standards, and safety measures in psychedelic research and therapies. Advocating for regulation & regulatory body involvement at all points of psychedelic medicine evaluation.
Public Awareness Campaigns:
Engaging in educational outreach and learning from local tragedy to increase understanding of the importance of safety in community and therapeutic contexts.
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Challenging Stigma and Advocating for University Neutrality:
Changing the culture to create safe spaces where survivors feel empowered to come forward and be believed. Advocating for fair treatment of survivors when coming forward in university settings.