Description: Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Florida is the state chapter of an international nonprofit watchdog group established to investigate and campaign against practices in the psychiatric and mental health fields that it describes as abusive or coercive. The organization advocates for patient rights, parental notification and consent, limits on involuntary commitment and psychiatric drugging, and public education about psychiatric treatments. Type: Nonprofit advocacy organization (state chapter of an international nonprofit) Policies: Seeks reforms to mental health laws and procedures (involuntary commitment/Baker Act), opposes psychiatric drugging of children and adults, promotes informed consent and parental rights, campaigns against electroconvulsive therapy and other psychiatric procedures it deems harmful, opposes school-based mental health screening programs, and pursues related public-education and litigation strategies. Funding: Primarily funded by membership contributions and public donations; receives financial and in-kind support from and is closely affiliated with the Church of Scientology and Scientology-related organizations. Affiliates: Church of Scientology and Scientology-related entities; CCHR International (headquartered in Los Angeles); co-founder Dr. Thomas Szasz (deceased); Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard (ideological founder); Diane Stein (publicly identified leader of CCHR Florida).
