CCHR Fighting to Restore Human Rights in Florida

CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) of Florida, a non-profit mental health watchdog organization dedicated to the eradication of abuses committed under the guise of mental health, and established by the Church of Scientology in 1969, announced that it has helped secure the safe release of over 300 people who had been unjustly sent for involuntary psychiatric examination under the Baker Act.  The mental health law in Florida, commonly known as the Baker Act, allows for individuals to be sent against their will for involuntary examination and held for up to 72 hours.  While efforts have been made to protect the rights of Floridians over the years, the fact remains that the number of people being Baker Acted each year is continuing to climb.

CCHR Florida noted that according to the 2015 Annual Report of Baker Act Data prepared for the Agency for Health Care Administration, there were 193,410 involuntary examinations initiated in calendar year 2015. An astounding 32,882 were initiated on minors and in Florida; a child may be removed from school grounds and sent for involuntary examination without parental consent or knowledge.  The total number of minors evaluated in Florida under the Baker Act increased by 50 percent from fiscal year 2010 to 2015.

“Through our Psychiatric Abuse Hotline we consistently receives calls from people whose loved ones have been Baker Acted despite the criteria for involuntary examination not having been met,” said Diane Stein, President of CCHR Florida. “These people are victims of human rights abuse and should not have their freedom taken away.”

In order to help address violations of human and civil rights under the mental health law, CCHR operates a Psychiatric Abuse Hotline which is available 7 days a week from 10am until 10pm so that individuals who need help have someone they can call.

CCHR also files complaints on behalf of those who have suffered abuse with over 1,600 complaints having been filed in 2016 alone resulting in multiple investigations and sanctions against offending psychiatrists and facilities. Anyone who has knowledge of psychiatric abuse, fraud or crime is encouraged to contact CCHR Florida at 1-800-782-2878 or to go online and fill out an abuse case documentation form at Report Psychiatric Abuse with full particulars and any documentary evidence. All information received is kept in strict confidence.

About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHR’s mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. 

It was L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, who brought the terror of psychiatric imprisonment to the notice of the world.  In March 1969, he said, “Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the ‘free world’ tortured, castrated, killed.  All in the name of ‘mental health.’” For more information visit,  www.cchrflorida.org .

Media Contact: Diane Stein President, CCHR Florida 727-442-8820 diane@cchrflorida.org www.cchrflorida.org