Citizens Commission on Human Rights

Citizens Commission on Human Rights logo CCHR

Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is a non-profit organization founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and psychiatrist Thomas Szasz. The organization states that its mission is to "eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections." Despite its stated goals, CCHR has been criticized for its aggressive campaigns against psychiatry and its practices, including the use of psychiatric medication, electroconvulsive therapy, and involuntary commitment.

History

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights was established as a response to what its founders perceived as widespread abuses in the field of mental health. The organization has its roots in the anti-psychiatry movement of the 1960s, which challenged the legitimacy of psychiatric diagnoses and treatments. CCHR's co-founder, Thomas Szasz, was a prominent figure in this movement, advocating for the rights of mental patients and criticizing the psychiatric establishment for what he saw as its coercive and dehumanizing practices.

Activities

CCHR is known for its controversial campaigns and advocacy efforts. One of its most notable campaigns is against the use of psychiatric drugs, particularly in children. The organization argues that these drugs are often prescribed unnecessarily and can have harmful side effects. CCHR has also campaigned against electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), describing it as barbaric and ineffective.

In addition to its campaigns, CCHR has produced a number of reports and documentaries aimed at exposing what it sees as the dangers and abuses of psychiatry. These materials have been used to support legislative efforts to restrict psychiatric practices and to promote alternative approaches to mental health.

Criticism

CCHR's activities and positions have been met with significant criticism from the medical and psychiatric communities. Critics argue that the organization's campaigns are based on misinformation and can deter individuals from seeking necessary psychiatric care. The ties between CCHR and the Church of Scientology have also been a point of contention, with some suggesting that the organization's true motive is to promote the church's anti-psychiatry agenda.

Despite these criticisms, CCHR continues to have a presence in debates over mental health care and patient rights. Its advocacy for informed consent and against coercive treatment practices has found support among some patient rights advocates and groups critical of mainstream psychiatry.

See Also

• Anti-psychiatry
• Psychiatric medication
• Electroconvulsive therapy
• Involuntary commitment
• Church of Scientology