News
Baker Act? Protect Your Children with 5 Simple Steps!
In 2021, the passage of the School Safety Bill, amended Florida law to require parental/guardian notification prior to the initiation of a Baker Act on a minor child. The intention behind these revisions was to reduce the number of inappropriate Baker Acts on children...
Debunking the Myths Surrounding Suicide Assessments and Suicide Rates
Each year an average of 44,965 people commit suicide in the United States making it the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide deaths were more than double those due to homicides in 2015,...
CCHR Urges Overhaul of the FDA, Charging Approval of Electroshock Device Creates Harm
Summing up a five-part series of articles exposing the dangers of electroshock treatment (ECT) on its public information blog, TruthAboutECT, mental health watchdog, Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) calls for an overhaul of the Food and Drug...
The Baker Act and Your Rights: One Attorney’s Perspective
By: Dr. Stephen Talmadge Ph.D. psychology | Attorney INTRODUCTION I will address many questions about Baker Acts and will present a brief history and some facts about prevalence. I will talk about whether the Baker Act is criminal or civil law, patient rights, and...
Mental Health Expert: Why Are We Still Electroshocking Children?
Today's doctors are struggling to treat psychological problems and despite that, we are still using electroshock — even on children. In 2003, Dr. Loren Mosher and Professor David Cohen wrote a brief paper, "The Ethics of Electroconvulsive Therapy." Cohen starts by...
Testimonials – The Baker Act
These are letters and emails thanking CCHR Florida for the help provided to families: "Thanks for sending the documents, for all of your help and encouragement, and for being so accessible when I felt utterly helpless. The Baker Act Facility wore my daughter down...
Human Rights Expert: Parents Deserve to Be Involved In Their Child’s Mental Health
If you were to read the news or do a simple Google search for mental health and children, you'd be bombarded with stories feigning a mental health crisis among children in the United States, demanding change. However, these stories are spun by the same people behind...
Human Rights Expert: How To Ensure School Mental Health Initiatives Don’t Violate Parental Rights
While some argue that school children are facing a mental health crisis and demand answers, perhaps the question we should be asking is: Why are schools involved in children's mental health in the first place? As administrators, legislators and parents in the United...
Mental Health Expert: Debunking the Holiday Season Suicide Rates Myth
Although many individuals do struggle during the winter months and deserve effective care, the idea that suicide rates climb over the holidays is false. Acknowledging that people can struggle at any time of the year, getting people the help they need whenever...
Psychotropic Medication and Addiction: What You Can Do
According to research, "Psychiatric medications are among the most heavily advertised prescriptions in the United States. [...] Psychiatric drugs comprised three of the five most advertised classes of medication and were among the first drugs to attain 'blockbuster'...
CCHR Florida Takes Home the Platinum Award for Government Relations in Campaign to Protect Children
Recognized for their outstanding work, CCHR organized a campaign that helped pass key pieces of legislation protecting children and parental rights. On October 12th, the Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) took home the 2022 Platinum...
Human Rights Expert: Is ECT making mental healthcare better or worse?
What Is ECT? Electroconvulsive therapy sends electricity through the brain. The voltage can be as high as 460, and the current causes a surge of electrical activity, resulting in a seizure. ECT got its start in 1934 when psychiatrist Ladislas Meduna, having recognized...
Human Rights Expert: Why Everyone Should Care About Coercive Psychiatry
To Lead the World in Freedom, We Must Start With Mental Health Around the world, civil liberties are declining. People in the United States have long celebrated these freedoms and have woven them into the fabric of American culture. The right to have autonomy over...
Mass Acts of Violence in Our Communities, Are We Asking the Right Questions?
More than 30 studies, drug regulatory agency warnings and expert opinion link psychotropic drugs to violent and suicidal behavior. According to a report, “Psychiatric Drugs: Create Violence & Suicide”, written and released by the Citizens Commission on Human...
CCHR Florida Wins the 2022 Social Impact Award: Campaign Protects Children and Parental Rights
The international Social Impact Awards honor communicators who use their platforms to better their community and the global community at large. The Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) received the 2022 Social Impact Award for their work...
CCHR Florida Receives PRNEWS Nonprofit Award 2022 for Social Responsibility
Awarded for outstanding work, CCHR developed a successful strategy to organize a campaign resulting in the passing of legislation to protect parental rights. Many apply but only few are chosen. Each year PRNEWS Nonprofit Awards spotlight organizations challenging...
This April, CCHR Reminds You to Not Only Eliminate Stress but to Also Avoid Dangerous Solutions
In honor of April being Stress Awareness Month, CCHR provides tips to combat stress while avoiding false solutions that could actually be harmful. April is Stress Awareness Month. In challenging times, everyone has experienced stress to some degree. It’s just the way...
Human Rights Expert: Why We Need a Foster Child Bill of Rights
Legislation Can Make a Positive Difference For a range of reasons still being explored, the foster care system suffers from mishandling. This problem can be solved mainly by providing more rights to both children and their caregivers, including the parents with whom,...
Contact CCHR Florida
109 N. Fort Harrison Ave.
Clearwater, Florida 33755
Tel: 1-800-782-2878
