# Ketamine mental health treatment developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ketamine-mental-health-treatment-developments > Updated: 2026-08-24T09:24:19.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The use of ketamine for mental health treatment is seeing divergent developments regarding regulation and clinical application. In the United States, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has called for increased oversight and patient protections due to the growing market for off-label ketamine use. ASA President Patrick Giam highlighted risks associated with unsupervised use and home delivery, noting the drug’s potential impact on heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. These concerns follow a reported fatality in New York involving at-home ketamine prescribed via telehealth. Conversely, Norway has moved toward formal integration of the drug into its healthcare system, approving ketamine as a public treatment for acute suicidality. This decision was made to address cases where traditional therapies, such as antidepressants and various forms of cognitive or exposure therapy, failed to provide relief for severe mental health conditions. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Ketamine approved as public treatment for acute suicidality in Norway Ketamine has been approved as a public treatment for acute suicidality in Norway, offering a new option for patients with complex PTSD and depression who have not responded to traditional therapies. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ketamine-approved-as-public-treatment-for-acute-suicidality-in-norway ### 2026-08-20: Ketamine therapy safety concerns rise amid growing market The ASA is seeking stronger safety oversight for ketamine therapy as its market grows, while a study of Oregon's regulated psilocybin program shows significant mental health benefits for participants. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ketamine-therapy-safety-concerns-rise-amid-growing-market --- Cite as: Ketamine mental health treatment developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ketamine-mental-health-treatment-developments